in the hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the hour" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase typically refers to something happening during a specific hour, or within the span of an hour. Example: "The meeting is scheduled to start in the hour, so please be on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

ABC's "Six Degrees" (9.1 million) finished third in the hour.

The New York Times

CBS's "Dexter" was third in the hour (6.4 million).

The New York Times - Arts

Beginning of loss at 6 marks in the hour of zi; the eclipse was total at 3 marks in the hour of chou; maximum at 5 marks in the hour of chou; reappearance of light at 7 marks in the hour of chou; restoration to fullness at 4 marks in the hour of yin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the winter, natural gas use is highest in the hour after 7 a.m.

The New York Times

If only there were a few more minutes in "The Hour".

The New York Times - Arts

I had lost many ounces of blood in the hour I was stuck in traffic.

The New York Times

Almost all used computers, phones and the like in the hour before they went to bed.

The Economist

Yet the emergency response unit requested use of the helicopter twice in the hour that followed.

The Guardian

He quotes his mentor six times in the hour we spend together.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I abducted your girls," Abubakar Shekau said in the hour-long video.

Independent

But there was no mention in the hour-long speech of Britain's deficit.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the hour" to refer to a specific time slot, ensure that the context clearly identifies which hour is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "in the hour before midnight" rather than just "in the hour".

Common error

Avoid using "in the hour" when you actually mean "hourly" or "every hour". "In the hour" refers to a specific, single hour, not a recurring event each hour.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the hour" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses by specifying a timeframe. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and well-established in written English. It indicates when an event or action takes place during a specific hour.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the hour" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify a timeframe of 60 minutes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the specific hour you are referencing is well-defined within the context. While alternatives such as "within the hour" and "during that hour" exist, "in the hour" provides a simple and effective means of indicating when an event or action occurs. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlights its reliability in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the hour

Emphasizes completion or occurrence before the hour concludes.

during that hour

Highlights an event happening sometime in a specific hour.

for the duration of the hour

Stresses continuous activity or state throughout the entire hour.

over the course of the hour

Indicates that something happens incrementally or changes over the hour.

in the space of an hour

Focuses on the limited timeframe of one hour.

within a 60-minute period

More formal, using precise time measurement.

during the specified hour

Highlights that the hour was predefined or specific.

inside one hour

Emphasizes brevity or immediacy.

in a period of sixty minutes

More formal, and can imply a scientific or technical context.

while the hour passes

Focuses on the experience or events as time moves forward.

FAQs

How can I use "in the hour" in a sentence?

You can use "in the hour" to specify when something occurs within a 60-minute timeframe. For example, "The medication takes effect "in the hour" after ingestion".

What phrases are similar to "in the hour"?

Alternatives include "within the hour", "during that hour", or "over the course of the hour", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the hour's time" instead of "in the hour"?

While "in the hour's time" is understandable, it's less common and can sound slightly awkward. "In the hour" is generally more concise and preferred.

What's the difference between "in the hour" and "within the hour"?

"In the hour" refers to a general timeframe, while ""within the hour"" often emphasizes that something will be completed or occur before the hour is over.