rush hour

USAGE SUMMARY

"rush hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this term to refer to a time of day when the volume of traffic or people is at a peak. For instance, "I try to avoid driving during rush hour because of the heavy traffic on the highways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Rush hour.

The New York Times

Rush hour is alarming.

The Economist

"Subway during rush hour?

The New York Times

It's rush hour.

The New York Times - Travel

"It was like rush hour".

The New York Times

I go at rush hour.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rush-hour traffic halted.

The New York Times

Inevitably, that means snarled rush-hour traffic.

The Economist

Now it has rush-hour traffic snarls.

Forbes

Subways at rush-hour are unhappy places.

Huffington Post

Avoid rush-hour traffic.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about transportation or urban planning, use "rush hour" to clearly denote the periods when traffic congestion is at its highest. Ensure the context is clear for readers unfamiliar with the term.

Common error

Don't assume that "rush hour" only applies to morning and evening commutes. While these are typical, any period with unusually high traffic volume can be considered "rush hour".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rush hour" is as a noun phrase functioning as an adjective describing a specific period of time, as confirmed by Ludwig. It modifies nouns related to traffic, commuting, and urban life, as observed in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rush hour" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe periods of heavy traffic, primarily in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While alternatives like "peak hour" or "heavy traffic period" exist, "rush hour" is widely understood and effectively conveys the intended meaning. To use it effectively, consider that the term isn't just for morning and evening commutes; any period of unusually high traffic can be described as "rush hour". Top authoritative sources that use this phrase are The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peak traffic time

Replaces "hour" with "time" and uses "peak traffic" instead of "rush" to emphasize the traffic volume.

peak commuting period

Substitutes "rush" with "peak" and "hour" with "commuting period", highlighting the commuter aspect of the time.

busy travel period

Replaces "rush hour" with a broader term focusing on travel congestion during specific times.

commuter congestion

Focuses on the congestion caused by commuters during "rush hour", changing the structure to emphasize the effect.

heavy traffic period

Emphasizes the density of traffic as a characteristic of "rush hour", using simpler language.

gridlock time

Highlights the extreme traffic congestion, suggesting a complete standstill, which can occur during "rush hour".

peak period of transit

A more formal way to refer to "rush hour", focusing on public transit and periods of maximum use.

time of maximum congestion

Describes "rush hour" in terms of the level of congestion, making it a descriptive alternative.

high-volume traffic times

Focuses on the high volume of traffic as a defining characteristic of "rush hour", suitable for technical contexts.

period of intense traffic

Highlights the intensity of traffic during this time, offering a slightly more descriptive alternative to "rush hour".

FAQs

How can I use "rush hour" in a sentence?

You can use "rush hour" to describe times of day with heavy traffic. For example, "The accident caused significant delays during "rush hour"".

What's another way to say "rush hour"?

Alternatives to "rush hour" include "peak hour", "peak commuting period", or "heavy traffic period", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rush hours" instead of "rush hour"?

While "rush hour" refers to a specific period, "rush hours" can be used to refer to multiple such periods or a general timeframe encompassing them.

What are some strategies to avoid "rush hour"?

Consider alternative transportation, such as biking or public transit, or adjust your schedule to travel outside of "peak traffic time".