the previous hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the previous hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the hour immediately before the current hour in discussions about time or events. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for the previous hour, but it was postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Leckie is a character far removed from the romantic sap of the previous hour.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For the previous hour, American Army medics had doled out free antibiotics, asthma medication and antacids.

The New York Times

("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," the 1964 animated classic, drew 10.74 million in the previous hour).

The New York Times

The two chat, as if they had spent the previous hour over drinks and dinner.

The Guardian

Stiller had said "real," "handheld," or "naturalistic" at least twenty times in the previous hour.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, that doesn't justify the ennui of sitting through the previous hour and a half.

The New York Times

Ms. Van Susteren averaged 1 million viewers in June, an 18percentt drop from the previous hour, according to Nielsen.

The New York Times

Every hour, the counter recorded the number and kind of raptors that were seen in the previous hour.

The Washington Post

That glee soon took the form of spontaneous, nigh-ecstatic applause, a sound unheard in the previous hour.

The New York Times

"I'm glad your house isn't tidy," Michele says, not aware that I've spent the previous hour frantically cleaning up.

The Guardian

"I said, 'I can't hear you,' " I bellowed back, my voice hoarse from yelling for the previous hour.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the previous hour", ensure the context clearly establishes the point of reference. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands which hour you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous hour" without a clear temporal anchor. Without context, it's unclear which specific hour is being referenced, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the previous hour" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred. It pinpoints a specific period for an action or state, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the previous hour" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that serves as an adverbial modifier, providing precise temporal context. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across different fields such as News & Media and Science, with a neutral formality. The phrase effectively indicates events or states occurring in the 60-minute period immediately preceding the current time. While various alternatives exist, such as "the preceding hour" or "the hour before", using "the previous hour" with a clear temporal anchor is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the preceding hour

Replaces 'previous' with 'preceding', maintaining the exact temporal reference.

the prior hour

Substitutes 'previous' with 'prior', offering a slightly more formal tone but identical meaning.

the hour before

Uses a more conversational structure while retaining the precise timeframe.

the hour immediately before

Adds emphasis on the immediacy of the timeframe being referenced.

the last hour

Offers a simpler alternative, though it can occasionally be ambiguous without further context.

the hour just ended

Focuses on the completion of the hour in question.

within the last 60 minutes

Provides a more specific timeframe, emphasizing the duration.

the hour that just passed

Emphasizes the transient nature of time.

sixty minutes prior

Uses a numerical specification of the timeframe, suitable for technical contexts.

the immediately preceding 60 minutes

Combines specificity and formality to define the timeframe.

FAQs

How do I use "the previous hour" in a sentence?

Use "the previous hour" to refer to the 60-minute period that immediately precedes the current time. For example, "The number of tweets decreased compared to "the previous hour"".

What's a more formal alternative to "the previous hour"?

A more formal alternative is "the preceding hour". Both phrases have the same meaning, but "preceding" carries a slightly more formal tone.

What can I say instead of "the previous hour" in casual conversation?

In casual contexts, you can use phrases like "the hour before" or "the last hour" instead of "the previous hour".

Is there a difference between "the previous hour" and "the past hour"?

"The previous hour" refers specifically to the 60-minute period directly before the current time. "The past hour" can be slightly more general, potentially encompassing a less strictly defined timeframe.