by the hour

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Calculated or paid according to the number of hours used or worked.

   Grammar: Comes after a verb like paid, charged or rented: they charge by the hour.

   Patterns

   • be paid by the hour
   • charge by the hour
   • rent something by the hour

   The plumber charges by the hour, so the repair cost a lot.

   Many part-time workers are paid by the hour.

   You can rent the studio by the hour.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Continuing to change or grow worse or better as each hour passes.

   Grammar: Used with verbs of change: getting worse by the hour.

   Patterns

   • get worse by the hour
   • grow by the hour

   The storm was getting stronger by the hour.

   His excitement grew by the hour as the trip got closer.

   The situation is getting worse by the hour.

Common combinations

paid by the hour

Most of the staff here are paid by the hour.

charge by the hour

Lawyers often charge by the hour.

rent by the hour

The meeting rooms can be rented by the hour.

worse by the hour

The traffic was getting worse by the hour.

better by the hour

The patient seemed better by the hour.

Synonyms and how they differ

hourly

Hourly is an adjective or adverb that can come before a noun (an hourly rate), while by the hour is a phrase used after a verb.

per hour

Per hour is the more formal form and is often used with a number, as in ten dollars per hour.

hour by hour

Hour by hour stresses steady change over time and is less common for pricing than by the hour.

Opposites

Word family

hour noun

a period of sixty minutes

hourly adjective

happening or paid every hour

hourly adverb

once every hour

hourglass noun

a glass device that measures time with falling sand

Commonly confused: by the hour or by the day?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “by the hour”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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