over the hour

USAGE SUMMARY

'over the hour' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time that has passed in excess of one hour. For example, "We talked for over an hour about the project before deciding on a plan of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Carlson is still new to the eight-o'clock show — he took over the hour last month, after Bill O'Reilly's sudden departure from the network.

The New Yorker

When I saw the clock tick over the hour, I was like, "get up".

BMC Public Health

(group 9, participant 1) When I saw the clock tick over the hour, I was like, "get up".

BMC Public Health

Bottom line: get over The Hour; Abi Morgan clearly has.

The Guardian - Opinion

The courses are circuits, ideal for spectators who see the riders repeatedly over the hour.

The New York Times - Sports

But it has been growing clear, over the hour, that the new generation has the edge.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Additionally, most software fails to account for the changes in natural light that occur over the hour-long photo shoots.

MIT Technology Review

I did not realize how Reich's harmony, with its ever-changing masses of suspended tones, would escalate tension over the hour-long span.

The New Yorker

Over the hour-and-a-half talk, those statements started out as a laugh line that got funnier through increasingly manic repetition.

The New York Times - Science

Over the hour-long carefully crafted MacTaggart memorial lecture to the Edinburgh International TV Festival, she put clear blue water between herself and her brother, once considered the obvious heir to their father's empire.

The Guardian

— change the world!" And what's more, he added, throwing his head back for a hearty mad-scientist laugh, "you could get rich!" Over the hour-and-a-half talk, those statements started out as a laugh line that got funnier through increasingly manic repetition.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over the hour" to describe an action, event, or process that extends beyond a single hour, emphasizing the duration. For example, "The meeting went on over the hour."

Common error

Avoid using "over the hour" when you specifically mean 'within the hour'. "Over the hour" indicates exceeding the 60-minute mark, while 'within the hour' means before the hour is up.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the hour" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a duration or timeframe that exceeds a period of one hour. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over the hour" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a duration exceeding one hour. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in various contexts, including news, media, and scientific publications. When writing, ensure that you're using it to describe a time frame longer than 60 minutes, and avoid using it when you mean 'within the hour'. Alternatives like "more than an hour" or "exceeding an hour" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. Therefore, this expression is well accepted in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than an hour

Emphasizes that the duration is greater than 60 minutes.

for one hour

Simply states the amount of time that an action happened.

in the past hour

Focuses on events occurring specifically within the preceding 60 minutes.

during the hour

Specifies an action or event taking place at some point within the one-hour timeframe.

exceeding an hour

Focuses on the fact that the time is beyond a single hour.

within the hour

Implies completion or occurrence before the end of the 60-minute duration.

throughout the hour

Indicates an event or action occurring continually during all parts of the 60-minute period.

for the duration of an hour

Highlights the continuity of an event throughout the one-hour timeframe.

spanning an hour

Highlights that the duration lasts for one hour, covering the whole duration.

in an hour's time

Emphasizes the passing of time, indicating something will happen after 60 minutes.

FAQs

How can I use "over the hour" in a sentence?

You can use "over the hour" to indicate a duration exceeding one hour. For example, "The presentation lasted "over the hour", which meant we had less time for questions."

What is a suitable alternative to "over the hour"?

Alternatives include "more than an hour", "exceeding an hour", or "for more than an hour". The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "longer than an hour" instead of "over the hour"?

Yes, "longer than an hour" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "over the hour". Both phrases indicate that the duration is greater than 60 minutes.

What's the difference between "over the hour" and "in the last hour"?

"Over the hour" indicates a duration that surpasses one hour, whereas "in the last hour" refers to something that occurred during the preceding 60 minutes. They describe different aspects of time.