office hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"office hours" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the hours that a place of business (such as an office, store, or clinic) is open for customers or clients. For example, "My doctor's office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Office Hours are part of that effort.

TechCrunch

But to ensure activity outside office hours, the area will need after-hours attractions.

City, Territory and Architecture

Office hours were over.

The New Yorker

Time: Office hours.

The New York Times

Box office hours: October 2nd: 10 a.m.

The New Yorker

Baseball workouts fit easily around office hours.

The New York Times - Sports

Try holding office hours for 10,000 students!

The New York Times

There are no set office hours.

The New York Times

He left office hours to Véra.

The New Yorker

The Mayor has regular office hours on Sunday afternoons.

The New Yorker

The institute staff dropped over together, after office hours.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling meetings, clearly state the available "office hours" to avoid confusion and ensure convenience for all parties involved.

Common error

Avoid using "office hours" to refer to personal time off or breaks. This phrase specifically indicates designated times for accessibility and assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "office hours" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific period of time when services or personnel are available. Ludwig confirms its conventional use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "office hours" is a common and correct noun phrase used to designate specific periods of availability. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely understood. Its usage spans diverse fields, from academia and healthcare to business and technology. While the phrase maintains a neutral to professional tone, it is incredibly versatile and found primarily in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business. When in doubt, remember that "office hours" denotes more than just general business hours – it signifies scheduled accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business hours

Focuses on the general timeframe when a business is open.

operating hours

Describes the timeframe a service or business is in operation.

consultation times

Emphasizes the availability for consultation or meetings.

availability for meetings

Highlights the period when someone is free to meet.

official hours

Emphasizes a formal or designated timeframe.

scheduled hours

Refers to a pre-arranged timeframe of availability.

visiting hours

Specifies the timeframe for visiting someone or something.

support hours

Indicates the timeframe support services are available.

contact hours

Designates the period when one can make contact.

time on duty

Describes the period someone is actively working or available.

FAQs

What does "office hours" mean?

The phrase "office hours" typically refers to a pre-arranged period when someone is available to answer questions or provide assistance, often without an appointment. It can also refer to standard business hours.

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

You can use "office hours" in sentences like: "If you need help with the homework, the professor will be holding "office hours" on Thursday from 7-9pm" or "To request a brochure, please call during "business hours"."

What is the difference between "business hours" and "office hours"?

"Business hours" generally refer to the times a business is open. "Office hours" can refer to general business hours, but often specifies the time a particular person is available, especially in academic or professional settings.

What are some alternatives to "office hours"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "consultation times", "availability for meetings", or "scheduled hours".