last an hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last an hour" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened for a period of time that was not longer than 60 minutes. For example: "The thunderstorm lasted an hour before the rain stopped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some fights last an hour.

The New York Times

All other episodes will last an hour.

Independent

"No one can last an hour in".

The Guardian

The cash would not last an hour," he said.

Independent

The service will last an hour, beginning at noon.

The Washington Post

The lunch rush used to last an hour.

The Washington Post

Guided tours ($8.50) last an hour and 15 minutes.

The New York Times - Travel

We couldn't last an hour in those positions.

The Guardian - Film

The library concert was scheduled to last an hour.

The New York Times

"If you kill me, my successor won't last an hour.

The Guardian - Books

However, his reign didn't even last an hour.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, meetings, or procedures, use "last an hour" to clearly communicate the expected duration to your audience. This helps manage expectations and plan schedules effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "last an hour" when you mean to say something occurs hourly. "Last an hour" refers to the duration of a single event, while "hourly" refers to how often something occurs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last an hour" functions as a verb phrase indicating the duration of an event or activity. It describes the amount of time something takes from beginning to end. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, such as describing the length of meetings, tours, or even physical sensations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last an hour" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the duration of an event or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts and registers, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. Predominantly featured in "News & Media", it effectively conveys the length of time something takes. Remember to use it to specify the duration of events rather than their frequency, ensuring clarity in your communication. The examples show that it is used to inform about meetings, concerts, tours, and interrogations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue for an hour

Substitutes "last" with "continue", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the activity.

go on for an hour

Uses a more informal phrasing with "go on", while retaining the meaning of duration.

run for an hour

Commonly used for events or programs, emphasizing their duration.

endure for sixty minutes

Replaces "last an hour" with a more specific duration.

span sixty minutes

Replaces "last" with "span", providing a more formal tone and emphasizing the extent of time.

extend for an hour

Suggests a stretching out in time.

persist for sixty minutes

Implies a degree of difficulty in stopping the activity, or implies something unwanted.

take an hour

Focuses on the time consumed by the activity, instead of the duration.

fill an hour

Similar to 'occupy an hour', but focuses on how the time is used.

occupy an hour

Highlights the time slot that the activity fills.

FAQs

How can I use "last an hour" in a sentence?

You can use "last an hour" to describe the duration of an event. For example, "The meeting is scheduled to "last an hour"."

What are some alternatives to saying "last an hour"?

Alternatives include phrases like "continue for an hour" or "go on for an hour", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lasting an hour" instead of "last an hour"?

"Lasting an hour" can be used as a descriptive adjective phrase, such as in "a meeting lasting an hour". "Last an hour" is a verb phrase used to describe an event's duration.

What's the difference between "last an hour" and "take an hour"?

"Last an hour" emphasizes the duration of an event, while "take an hour" focuses on the time consumed or required. For instance, "The movie will "last an hour"" versus "It will "take an hour" to get there".