once per hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once per hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a frequency of occurrence, specifically that something happens one time within a one-hour period. Example: "The system checks for updates once per hour to ensure the latest information is available."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Get up and move at least once per hour!

Princeton University

Once per hour it checks to see if there is an active network connection.

Stanford University

Leaving soon after the second tour finishes at 4 30 to reach Glynde in good time to catch a return train that departs only once per hour.

Harvard University

One group of dogs (n=6) underwent brief (2 min) LAD occlusions once per hour, eight times per day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks to stimulate collateral development (measured using radioactive microspheres).

Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods

(c) We validate our scheme using experimental traces of typical operating conditions to show that it achieves high success (over 99% of the medical data can be authenticated) at very low overheads (as low as 5% extra transmissions) and at very low cost (the bodyworn device has to perform a digital signature operation no more than once per hour).

Future Generation Computer Systems

In one particularly vivid field trial against mosquitoes in Alaska, published in 1988, volunteers in permethrin-treated uniforms who also used a repellent containing 35percentt DEET on their exposed skin were bitten an average of once per hour over eight hours; volunteers in untreated uniforms who did not use DEET averaged 1,188 bites per hour.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The Mighty Eagle can also be used in previously completed levels, without the once-per-hour limit, to play a mini-game called "Total Destruction" in which the player attempts to destroy as much of the scenery as possible, both with the standard birds and the Mighty Eagle; achieving 100% destruction earns the player a Mighty Eagle feather for the level.

Wikipedia

Currently, the fast food industry is a prime target, especially once $15 per-hour wages bring annual price parity in line with automated burger flippers.

Forbes

The 16 hour rule may be invoked once per 34 hour reset, if the 5 day pattern has been established.

Wikipedia

Data from the temperature telemeters were recorded at 500 Hz, for one second, once per minute for 23 hours using Data Sciences Int. acquisition software.

Plosone

You can only do this once per 24 hour period, and it will only allow you to replay your last-viewed Snap.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "once per hour", ensure it clearly conveys the intended frequency. For tasks requiring precision, consider specifying the exact time within the hour the action occurs.

Common error

Avoid using "once per hour" when the intended meaning is 'approximately every hour'. Use qualifiers such as 'about' or 'roughly' to indicate an estimated frequency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once per hour" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb to indicate how often an action occurs. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase correctly specifies a rate of occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

24%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "once per hour" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase to denote the frequency of an action. As Ludwig confirms, it is appropriate for various registers, although frequently observed in scientific and news contexts. Common alternatives include "hourly" and "every hour". Using "once per hour" effectively involves ensuring it accurately reflects the intended frequency, avoiding ambiguity with approximate occurrences. The phrase serves to provide temporal context for tasks and processes. According to Ludwig, it can be used to indicate a frequency of occurrence, specifically that something happens one time within a one-hour period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every hour

This phrase emphasizes the regularity of the action within each hour.

each hour

Similar to 'every hour', but with a slightly stronger sense of individual occurrence.

one time per hour

A more explicit version, adding emphasis to the single occurrence.

one time each hour

Combines elements for emphasis on singularity and regularity.

hourly

This is a single-word adjective meaning 'happening every hour'.

once in an hour

Changes the prepositional phrase, slightly altering the rhythm of the original.

single instance per hour

Formal and emphasizes the singular nature of the event.

every sixty minutes

Replaces 'hour' with its equivalent in minutes, useful for precision.

at an hourly rate

Implies a continuous process over the duration of the hour rather than a single event.

on the hour

Specifies that the action happens at the beginning of each hour rather than sometime during it.

FAQs

How do I use "once per hour" in a sentence?

Use "once per hour" to indicate that something happens one time within a one-hour period. For example: "The script runs "once per hour" to update the data."

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

Alternatives include "hourly", "every hour", or "each hour", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "once per hour" or "once every hour"?

Both "once per hour" and "once every hour" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the rhythm of the sentence.

What's the difference between "once per hour" and "on the hour"?

"Once per hour" indicates a frequency of one time within a one-hour period, while "on the hour" specifies that something happens precisely at the beginning of each hour.