once an hour

USAGE SUMMARY

"once an hour" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens periodically or as often as once per hour. For example, "I take a break from work once an hour to get some fresh air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least once an hour.

The New York Times

"The bus comes once an hour, maybe.

The New York Times

There is a bus roughly once an hour.

The New York Times - Travel

Once an hour, tourists gather in the lobby to watch a hole open in the floor.

The New Yorker

ONCE, an hour with your therapist ran for about 60 minutes.

The New York Times

Once an hour, a pianist performs the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

The New Yorker

When the animal is stationary, the sampling interval is once an hour (circles 6 and 9).

Nature

Buses run about once an hour (more often during rush hour) throughout the day.

The New York Times - Travel

"They run about once an hour, but it doesn't bother me," Mr. Jenrette said.

The New York Times

They're updated roughly once an hour.

Forbes

The sensor was stored in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, and examined once an hour (Fig. 6).

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once an hour" to describe a periodic action or measurement to ensure the reader understands the specific timeframe involved. For example, "Blood sugar levels are checked once an hour for three hours after the test."

Common error

Avoid using "once an hour" when you mean something lasts for an hour. "The meeting lasts once an hour" is incorrect; instead, say "The meeting lasts for an hour."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once an hour" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to specify the frequency of an action. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates how often something occurs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once an hour" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the frequency of an action or event. It is considered grammatically correct and enjoys common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to specify the timing of occurrences, and its register remains largely neutral. It is vital to distinguish between frequency and duration, avoiding its misapplication to describe the length of an event. Alternatives like ""hourly"" or ""every hour"" can be employed for similar meanings, depending on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every hour

Rephrasing with "every" emphasizes the regularity of the action each hour.

each hour

Similar to "every hour", but can slightly highlight individual instances within the hour.

hourly

Single-word adjective, conveying the same frequency in a more concise manner.

once per hour

Rephrasing with "per" offers a more technical or statistical tone.

at hourly intervals

More formal and emphasizes the scheduled nature of the occurrences.

at one-hour intervals

Highlights the duration between each occurrence.

on the hour

Implies that something happens at the beginning of each hour, precisely.

every sixty minutes

More explicit about the time frame involved.

at the turn of every hour

Similar to "on the hour" emphasizing that something happens at the beginning of each hour, precisely.

each passing hour

Emphasizes the continuous flow of time with the action happening within it.

FAQs

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

You can use "once an hour" to describe actions or events that happen every 60 minutes. For instance, "The tour departs "every hour"", or "Check the oven "hourly" to ensure even baking".

What's the difference between "once an hour" and "every hour"?

"Once an hour" and "every hour" are often interchangeable, but ""every hour"" may emphasize continuous repetition, whereas "once an hour" simply states the frequency of occurrence. The practical difference is minimal.

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

Alternatives include ""hourly"", "each hour", or "once per hour". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "once an hour"?

Yes, "once an hour" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both spoken and written English. It accurately conveys that something happens one time during each 60-minute period.