a bigger workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bigger workforce" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the size or capacity of a group of employees or workers in a particular context, such as business or labor. Example: "To meet the increasing demand for our products, we need to hire a bigger workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Torben Tranaes, a professor of welfare economics in Copenhagen, calls this "the most effective cure to get a bigger workforce".

The Economist

The bank's economists first calculated how much growth was explained by a bigger workforce and how much by more plant.

The Economist

As the country developed its health care infrastructure, it needed a bigger workforce.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"This is a big workforce and it's growing.

The Guardian

"But the second phase will last 20 years, and we'll need a much bigger workforce for that".

BBC

Most people's chief candidate for a bigger immigrant workforce has been health care, where a government desperate to reduce state medical costs ought to welcome cheaper Filipina nurses with open arms.

The Economist

Such a strategy could succeed only if the country produced a big enough workforce at least to meet the new demand for workforce (necessitated by the expansion or upgrading of the health care infrastructure).

Human Resources for Health

HEE said its responsibility is to ensure the NHS has a big enough workforce in the future, and also to help employers relieve current shortages.

The Guardian

For example, one outsourcing vendor, Cognizant, with a CEO of Indian origin and a big Indian workforce but headquarters in New Jersey, is currently taking market share from rivals such as Infosys.

The Economist

The hot market also creates opportunities for landlords of vacant bulk space who can afford to invest in upgrades to current e-commerce standards, such as abundant electrical power and enough restrooms and parking to serve bigger workforces than average warehouses require, CBRE Group's Strasmann said.

Los Angeles Times

"The biggest workforce in America can't put food on the table except when they go to work," says Saru Jayaraman, Co-Founder of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC-U).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase "a bigger workforce" with specific strategies for achieving that goal, such as skills training programs or immigration policies.

Common error

Avoid using "a bigger workforce" when you actually mean an increased workload. "Workforce" refers to the people, while "workload" refers to the amount of work. For example, do not say "We need a bigger workforce to handle this workload", instead say "We need more staff to handle this workload".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bigger workforce" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI suggests that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in English. The examples show it referring to the size of the working population.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bigger workforce" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe an increase in the number of people available for or engaged in work. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. When using this phrase, remember to differentiate between workforce and workload, and tailor your word choice depending on whether you are focusing on the quantity, quality, or skills of workers. Alternative phrases such as "a larger staff" or "more manpower" exist, but their applicability depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a greater number of employees

More formal and descriptive; less concise.

an expanded labor pool

Refers to increasing the number of potential workers. The focus is on availability of workers, not necessarily current employment.

an increased headcount

Focuses on the number of employees, specifically counting them. It's more of a business/corporate term.

a larger staff

Broader term than workforce, can include volunteers or non-employees.

a growing staff

Highlights the process of expansion rather than the end state.

more manpower

Focuses on physical labor, can be gendered (although less so now), less inclusive.

a bolstered employee base

Focuses on strengthening the existing workforce rather than purely increasing numbers.

a swelled rank of workers

More figurative/dramatic; less common.

an amplified personnel roster

A more formal, administrative way of describing an increased staff list.

a strengthened team

Focuses on the collaborative aspect of the workforce, rather than just the quantity of workers.

FAQs

What's the difference between "a bigger workforce" and "a larger workforce"?

Both phrases refer to an increase in the number of workers. However, "a larger workforce" might imply a more significant increase than "a bigger workforce", although the difference is often negligible.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a bigger workforce"?

Use "a bigger workforce" when discussing the need for more employees or workers to handle increased demand, expand operations, or achieve specific organizational goals. It is suitable in both formal and informal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "a bigger workforce" that emphasize skills or experience?

While "a bigger workforce" focuses on quantity, consider phrases like "a more skilled workforce" or "a more experienced team" if you want to highlight the quality and capabilities of the employees.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a bigger workforce is needed"?

Yes, "a bigger workforce is needed" is grammatically correct. The phrase "a bigger workforce" functions as a singular noun phrase in this sentence, so it takes the singular verb "is". You can also say "more workers are needed".