within the hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within the hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something will happen or be completed in less than one hour from the current time. Example: "The package should arrive within the hour, so please be ready to receive it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Michael replies within the hour: Hi, Rob.

The New Yorker

Within the hour, Gianni was dead.

The New Yorker

Wille wrote him back within the hour.

The New Yorker

Within the hour, Mr. Thompson hit back.

The New York Times

Both died within the hour.

The Guardian - Arts

He resigned within the hour.

The Guardian

Within the hour, Livingstone had been suspended.

The Guardian

He'll be trending worldwide within the hour.

The Guardian

Within the hour, I barely notice it.

The Guardian - Travel

Those books were gone within the hour".

The New York Times

Within the hour, he was back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within the hour" to convey a sense of urgency or promptness. This phrase is suitable when the timing is crucial and needs to be emphasized to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "within the hour" in very casual conversations where a more relaxed timeframe is acceptable. Opt for simpler terms like "soon" or "shortly" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within the hour" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, specifying the timeframe in which an action will occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes that something will transpire before the end of the current hour.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within the hour" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to indicate that something will occur before the end of the current hour. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s suitable for various contexts, though it's crucial to maintain consistency with the level of formality of the specific context. Best practices include leveraging it to communicate urgency, while most common errors involve using it inappropriately in casual scenarios. High-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ "within the hour", reinforcing its widespread acceptance and clear meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in less than an hour

Specifies the duration more explicitly.

before the hour is up

Highlights the completion before a specific time.

in under 60 minutes

Quantifies the timeframe in minutes.

in the next hour

Emphasizes the immediacy and proximity.

shortly

A more general term for a brief period.

soon

A less precise indicator of time.

almost immediately

Highlights the minimal delay.

promptly

Focuses on quick action or response.

in a jiffy

An informal way to express a short time.

momentarily

Suggests an action will occur very soon.

FAQs

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

You can use "within the hour" to indicate that something will happen or be completed in less than one hour. For example, "The delivery should arrive "within the hour"."

What are some alternatives to "within the hour"?

Alternatives include "in less than an hour", "before the hour is up", or "in the next hour", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in the hour" instead of "within the hour"?

While "in the hour" might be understood, "within the hour" is the more common and grammatically standard way to express that something will occur before the end of the current hour. The phrase "within the hour" is more precise in this context.

What is the difference between "within the hour" and "in an hour"?

"Within the hour" means something will happen before the current hour ends, while "in an hour" means something will happen one hour from now. So, the timeframe is different; for example, if it is 2:30 PM, "within the hour" means before 3:00 PM, whereas "in an hour" means at 3:30 PM.