I hope to reach the station an hour at the outside.

Identifying the Error

The phrase "an hour at the outside" is grammatically incorrect. The preposition "at" is misused in this context when expressing a maximum time limit. It creates an awkward and unnatural phrasing.

Correct Usage and Explanation

To express a maximum time limit, the correct phrasing is "at most" or "in at most." "At most" indicates the upper limit of a quantity or duration. "In at most" specifies the time within which something will happen, with a maximum duration. The original sentence attempts to convey that the journey will take no longer than one hour.

Rewriting the Sentence

There are two grammatically correct ways to rewrite the sentence:

• Option 1: "I hope to reach the station in an hour at most."
• Option 2: "I hope to reach the station within an hour."

Both options accurately convey the intended meaning. Option 2, using "within," is generally considered more concise and natural in everyday English.

Further Clarification

The error stems from a misunderstanding of how to express maximum limits. Using "at" in this context is not standard English usage. Consider these examples to illustrate the correct application:

• "The project will be completed in two weeks at most."
• "We can expect the rain to last for an hour at most."

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is to confuse "at" with "in" when expressing time duration. "At" is typically used for specific points in time (e.g., "at 3 pm"), while "in" is used for periods of time (e.g., "in an hour").