such an hour

USAGE SUMMARY

"such an hour" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific moment in time or moment of an experience. For example, "I will never forget such an hour, when I saw the sun rise over the horizon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Why were you out at such an hour?

The Guardian - Opinion

It is 1 08 A.M. None of the senior staff is on duty at such an hour.

The New Yorker

"I watched past administrations say, 'We will attack at such and such a day and such and such an hour.' … I'm not saying I'm doing anything one way or the other".

Huffington Post

Some nights, he'd see about six children — none of whom looked older than 15 — getting into a passenger van with their father and wonder where they could possibly be going at such an hour.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I had told them from Denmark about my visit that I'm coming at such-and-such an hour, so when I arrived I found them waiting for me.

Columbia University

You may want to make up a schedule (such as an hour a day) or set certain goals (such as a chapter a day) for yourself.

WikiHow

Is he on one of the affiliates?" Such is an hour with Mr. Trump - filled with knowing looks, bizarre digressions, savvy observations and blustery bravado.

The New York Times

How to Dial It Down: Schedule a reserved Pinterest Time (such as an hour after dinnertime), where you wind down from your busy day with inspirational photos.

Huffington Post

Whichever advice you choose to follow, beginning at a fixed base level, such as an hour per day, can make a good starting point, giving you some wiggle room to add or subtract time based on children's behavior.

Huffington Post

This may take practice to master, such as an hour a day for two weeks.

WikiHow

Give yourselves a time limit to write the play, such as an hour or two, cast the parts, and then give yourselves another hour to practice performing it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such an hour" to add emphasis or a sense of wonder when describing a particular time, especially when something unexpected or unusual is happening.

Common error

Avoid using "such an hour" too frequently in formal documents or reports. Opt for more neutral and precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such an hour" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, adding detail and emphasis to a specific point in time. It highlights the unusual or remarkable nature of the hour being referenced, as illustrated by examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such an hour" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight the distinctive nature of a specific time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, though it's relatively rare in occurrence. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its use adds emphasis and often implies something unusual or unexpected is happening. While acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. Consider alternatives like "at that time" for neutral references. The phrase serves to make an observation and express a judgment about a particular time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at so late an hour

This option is very close in meaning, simply adding emphasis on how late is the hour.

at so early an hour

This is a variation specifying the earliness of the hour, offering a direct contrast in temporal reference while retaining the original structure.

at such a time

This provides a more general reference to a moment, without specifying the specific measure of time (hour).

at this hour

This phrase is a more direct and common way to refer to the current time, lacking the reflective quality of the original.

at that time

This alternative provides a neutral reference to a specific point in time, lacking the emphasis or judgment present in the original phrase.

at that moment

This alternative focuses on a particular instant, often implying significance or heightened emotion, in a way that is more concise than the original.

so late in the day

This conveys a sense of lateness, shifting the emphasis to the end of the day rather than a precise hour.

so early in the morning

This specifies the morning hours, creating a contrast with the more general 'hour' of the original phrase.

during that period

This alternative refers to a span of time, rather than a specific point, altering the focus from a single instant to a duration.

in those days

This refers to a past era, changing the temporal scale from a specific hour to a broader historical period.

FAQs

How can I use "such an hour" in a sentence?

You can use "such an hour" to describe a specific, often unusual or noteworthy time. For instance, "It was surprising to see him awake at "so early an hour"."

What is the difference between "such an hour" and "at that time"?

"Such an hour" typically implies a sense of surprise, remarkableness, or peculiarity about the time, whereas "at that time" is a more neutral reference to a specific point in time. Think of it as the difference between an observation and a judgment.

Are there situations where it's better to avoid using "such an hour"?

Yes, in formal or professional writing, "such an hour" might sound too subjective or informal. Using more neutral language, like "at that time" or being specific, is usually more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "such an hour"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "at that moment", "at so late an hour", or "at that specific time".