peak hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"peak hours" can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the times in a day when demand or activity is highest. For example, "Our store sees the most sales during peak hours, which are usually around noon and early evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Avoid peak hours entirely.

The New York Times

during peak hours.

The New York Times

Noisy at peak hours.

The New York Times

At peak hours it's mobbed.

The New York Times - Food

"Just during peak hours".

The New Yorker

Moderately high at peak hours.

The New York Times - Food

Unpleasantly high noise level at peak hours.

The New York Times

9 p.m. are the peak hours.

The Washington Post

During off-peak hours, they will store trains used for East Side Access during peak hours.

The New York Times

seeks... to encourage the increased consumption of electricity, whether during peak hours or off-peak hours.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Infomercial time is typically sold during off-peak hours.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies to reduce congestion or manage resources, specify actions applicable during "peak hours".

Common error

Avoid assuming that changes implemented during off-peak times will automatically translate to improvements during "peak hours". The dynamics can be significantly different.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peak hours" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to specify when an action or situation is most prevalent. Ludwig shows many examples of this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "peak hours" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote the times of day when activity or demand is at its highest. It is versatile, appearing in neutral registers across diverse contexts like news, science, and academia, as Ludwig demonstrates. Related terms include ""rush hour"" and "busiest hours". A best practice involves specifying strategies applicable during "peak hours", while a common error is assuming off-peak changes automatically improve "peak hours". According to Ludwig, the phrase is well-established and widely understood in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rush hour

This is a common synonym, especially in the context of traffic or transportation.

busiest hours

This alternative emphasizes the level of activity during these times.

peak period

Switches the noun from plural to singular, focusing on the time block rather than individual hours.

high-traffic times

This option highlights the congestion or volume of activity.

prime time

Commonly used in broadcasting, but can apply to general periods of high activity.

congested times

Emphasizes the overcrowding or blockage that can occur.

height of activity

This option focuses on the maximum point of engagement or operation.

most active hours

Similar to 'busiest hours' but slightly more formal.

periods of greatest demand

Focuses on economic contexts or when services are most requested.

times of maximum usage

Highlights the intensity of use during these specific hours.

FAQs

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

You can use "peak hours" to describe times when something is at its busiest or most in demand. For example, "The subway is most crowded during "rush hour", which are the "peak hours" for commuting."

What's the difference between "peak hours" and "off-peak hours"?

"Peak hours" refer to the times when activity or demand is highest, while "off-peak hours" are the times when activity or demand is lower.

What can I say instead of "peak hours"?

You can use alternatives like ""rush hour"", "busiest hours", or "prime time" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "peak hours" or "peak time"?

Both "peak hours" and "peak time" can be correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Peak hours" refers to a specific period of time, while "peak time" can refer to a general point in time when something is at its highest level.