open office hours

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   regular times when a teacher or official is in their office and anyone may come to talk without an appointment

   Grammar: Usually plural: 'during open office hours'. A singular form 'an open office hour' is rare but possible for one specific hour.

   Patterns

   • hold open office hours
   • during open office hours
   • open office hours for students

   The professor holds open office hours every Tuesday from two to four.

   If you have questions about the assignment, come to open office hours instead of emailing.

2. 2nounplural

   a period when a workplace or service lets visitors come in freely, without booking

   Grammar: Same plural use; often with 'have' or 'offer'.

   Patterns

   • offer open office hours
   • open office hours at a company

   The company offers open office hours so local people can ask about its plans.

   During open office hours, the mayor's team listens to residents' concerns.

Common combinations

hold open office hours

The dean holds open office hours on Fridays.

during open office hours

Please visit during open office hours.

open office hours for students

The department sets aside open office hours for students.

come to open office hours

You can come to open office hours without an appointment.

Synonyms and how they differ

office hours

In American English this usually means the same thing; in British English it more often means the hours a business is open.

drop-in hours

This is a more casual term for the same idea, common in student services.

Commonly confused: open office hours or office hours?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “open office hours”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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