operating hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operating hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to the hours during which a business or other organization is open for customers or clients. For example, "The store's operating hours are 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the money would cover materials, not operating hours.

The New York Times

The Superintendent will determine operating hours and dates.

Cornell University

Laser cutters are available during operating hours of the makerspace.

Columbia University

(ii) Determine operating hours, dates, and use levels.

Cornell University

Its operating hours are: 9 30am-5 00pm.

Cornell University

In the huddle, employees asked Jungkiu if they could open and close the same times as the mall's operating hours (rather than the typical branch operating hours).

Harvard Business Review

Pico's operating hours were reduced to a Thursday-through-Monday schedule, and holiday periods.

The New York Times

The post office wants to reduce operating hours or close more than 13,000 post offices.

The New York Times

More than 500 operating hours were accumulated during the endurance tests.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Time of day partition of bus operating hours is a prerequisite of bus schedule design.

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies

These results are: power of exhaust fans and their operating hours.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying "operating hours", always include the days of the week to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Our operating hours are 9 AM to 5 PM", specify "Our operating hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday".

Common error

Avoid using "operating hours" when referring to situations where availability is not tied to a specific business or service. For instance, instead of saying "The doctor's operating hours are flexible", it's better to say "The doctor's "available hours" are flexible".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operating hours" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a defined period. According to Ludwig AI, this term is commonly used to indicate the timeframe during which a service, business, or facility is available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

23%

News & Media

40%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "operating hours" is a noun phrase used to define the period during which a service, business, or facility is open and available. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including academia, news media, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "business hours" and "opening hours" exist, "operating hours" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the days of the week and avoid confusing it with general availability. The examples in Ludwig showcase the phrase's practical application in various sectors, reinforcing its importance in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business hours

Refers specifically to the hours a business is open, implying a commercial context.

opening hours

A common synonym, particularly in British English, emphasizing the time a place is open.

hours of operation

A more formal phrasing, often used in official announcements or documents.

service hours

Emphasizes the time during which a service is provided, rather than a general opening.

available hours

Focuses on the time when something or someone is accessible or ready for use.

scheduled hours

Implies a pre-determined or planned timeframe for activity.

time of service

A more general term referring to when a service is performed or available.

hours of availability

Highlights the accessibility aspect, suitable for situations where availability is key.

period of operation

A broader term, less specific than "operating hours", referring to the duration of activity.

access hours

Focuses on the time when access is granted or permitted to a location or service.

FAQs

How to properly use "operating hours" in a sentence?

Use "operating hours" to specify the timeframe when a business or service is open. For example, "The library's operating hours are 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays".

What can I say instead of "operating hours"?

You can use alternatives like "business hours", "opening hours", or "hours of operation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "operative hours" instead of "operating hours"?

While "operative hours" might sound similar, "operating hours" is the more common and widely accepted term to refer to the hours a business or service is open.

What's the difference between "business hours" and "operating hours"?

"Business hours" typically refers to the hours a commercial business is open, whereas "operating hours" can apply to a wider range of services, including libraries, museums, or public transport.