nighttime hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nighttime hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific hour during the night, often in contexts related to activities or events that occur after dark. Example: "The party will start at the nighttime hour of 8 PM, when the sun has fully set."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Initially 12 hours was always the length of night/day, but the hours themselves changed in length with the seasons, and a nighttime hour would have been different to a daytime hour!

Cornell University

Since the percentage contribution by the plasmasphere to GPS-TEC is much larger during the nighttime hour than the daytime hour (Yizengaw et al. 2008).

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, it still underestimates the observed value during nighttime hours.

Advances in Space Research

Our bond was cemented in those hushed, nighttime hours.

The New York Times

Storage tanks allow the plant to operate also during nighttime hours.

Energy Procedia

Natural enemy activity during both daylight and nighttime hours was recorded.

Biological Control

One new decal reads "10 PM," indicating the extended nighttime hours for pay parking.

The Washington Post

The spread-F at equatorial and low-latitudes normally occurs during nighttime hours.

Advances in Space Research

"A constant flow, even during the nighttime hours," said a government statement released Tuesday.

The New York Times

The stress and nighttime hours make these jobs hard to fill.

The New York Times

Whereas, for hmF2, IRI-2016 with both International Union of Radio Science URS I) and CCIR SHU-2015 opredictspredicts well for nighttime hours throughout the year.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that occur at a specific time during the night, use "nighttime hour" to clearly indicate that the event happens after dark. For example, "The astronomy club meets during a late nighttime hour to observe distant stars."

Common error

Avoid using "nighttime hour" when a more general term like "evening" or "late at night" suffices. Using the more specific phrase is appropriate when the exact timing during the night is relevant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nighttime hour" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a particular time period during the night. Ludwig AI's examples show it used in scientific contexts, such as describing plasmasphere contributions or astronomical observations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

Academia

17%

News & Media

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nighttime hour" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to refer to a specific hour during the night. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, including science, academia, and news, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure that the specific timing during the night is relevant to the context, distinguishing it from more general time references like "evening" or "late at night". Alternatives such as "hour of the night" or "late hour" can also be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hour of the night

This alternative directly replaces "nighttime" with "of the night", maintaining a similar level of formality but with a slightly different structure.

nocturnal hour

Replacing "nighttime" with its adjective form, "nocturnal," keeps a similar tone but might sound more formal or scientific.

hour after dark

This alternative specifies an hour immediately following sunset, emphasizing the transition to night.

late hour

This alternative implies a time late in the evening or early morning, focusing on the lateness of the hour rather than simply being at night.

evening hour

This alternative focuses on the earlier part of the night or evening, providing a less specific temporal reference.

dark hour

This alternative focuses on the darkness associated with the night, adding a sense of foreboding or mystery.

small hour

This phrase refers to the very early hours of the morning, often after midnight, and has a more informal tone.

witching hour

This is a more evocative and specific term referring to midnight or a time of night associated with supernatural events.

dead of night

This phrase refers to the deepest, quietest part of the night, often implying a sense of isolation or vulnerability.

twilight hour

This refers to the period of time between daylight and darkness, providing a different temporal context.

FAQs

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

You can use "nighttime hour" to specify an hour that falls during the night, such as: "The experiment was conducted during a specific "hour of the night" to observe nocturnal animal behavior."

What's the difference between "nighttime hour" and "evening hour"?

"Nighttime hour" refers to any hour of the night, while "evening hour" typically refers to the earlier part of the night, closer to sunset. The choice depends on the specific time you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "nighttime hour"?

Alternatives include "hour of the night", "late hour", or "dark hour", depending on the context and the specific meaning you want to emphasize.

Is "nighttime hour" formal or informal?

"Nighttime hour" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more evocative terms like "witching hour" are typically used informally.