off hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"off hours" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to refer to times when a person or business is normally closed, such as after normal business hours or on weekends. For example, "The store is open for off hours shopping on Saturdays from 10am-2pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The next mission kicks off hours later.

The Guardian - Tech

And in his off hours, he hardly lacked for diversions.

The New York Times

The performance required abstinence and distance in our off hours.

The Guardian - Arts

MEN IN THE OFF HOURS, by Anne Carson.

The New York Times - Books

You wonder what he is like in the off hours.

The Guardian

The couple sewed and hammered the furs, and Mr. Feller painted in his off hours.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The genotyping protocol takes approximately 2.5 hands-off hours and 30 minutes of hands-on.

BMC Genomics

Out-of-office and Off-hours care Five studies examined the provision of out-of-office and/or off-hours care [ 18, 23, 24, 26, 36].

Human Resources for Health

"I love to wear sandals on my off-hours.

The New York Times

Sometimes he lets his son, aged seven, come in during off-hours and play around.

The New Yorker

"I was interested in the access off-hours, of being there when it was almost taboo".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling meetings or activities, be mindful of different time zones and clearly specify the intended time frame, indicating whether it falls within standard working hours or "off hours" for all participants.

Common error

Avoid using "off hours" when you actually mean "time off". "Off hours" refers to the time outside of someone's regular working schedule, whereas "time off" indicates a period of absence from work or other responsibilities. For example, instead of saying "He spent his off hours on vacation", say "He spent his time off on vacation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off hours" functions primarily as a noun phrase, referring to periods outside of regular working or business hours. As shown by Ludwig, it often appears as an adverbial modifier indicating when certain activities occur.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "off hours" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase that denotes periods outside of regular work or business schedules. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While its usage is not extremely frequent, it's common enough to be recognized across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general discourse. When employing "off hours", ensure clarity by avoiding confusion with "time off" and specifying the intended timeframe for activities or services. As demonstrated above, its function involves specifying when an event happens outside standard work hours.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-working hours

Replaces "off" with "non-working" to directly contrast with work hours.

after hours

A more common synonym, focusing on the time after regular business operations.

down time

Emphasizes the relaxed or inactive period.

leisure time

Highlights the recreational aspect of time outside of work.

free time

A general term for time not dedicated to work or obligations.

unscheduled time

Focuses on the lack of a fixed schedule during these hours.

personal time

Emphasizes that the time is for personal activities and not work-related.

time off

Highlights a break from regular duties.

non-business hours

Specifically refers to times when businesses are typically closed.

idle hours

Suggests a period of inactivity or lack of productivity.

FAQs

How can I use "off hours" in a sentence?

You can use "off hours" to refer to times outside of the regular working schedule. For example, "The gym is less crowded during "off hours"" or "The increased mortality after ICU admission during "off hours" is explained by a higher illness severity".

What is a common synonym for "off hours"?

A common synonym for "off hours" is "after hours", which also refers to the time after the regular working day or business hours.

Is it correct to say "off-hours" with a hyphen?

Yes, "off-hours" is also a correct form, particularly when used as an adjective. For instance, "off-hours activities" or "off-hours care". Both forms are widely accepted and understood.

What's the difference between "off hours" and "downtime"?

"Off hours" specifically refers to the time outside of regular work or business hours. "Downtime", on the other hand, implies a period of relaxation or inactivity, which can occur during or outside of work hours.