a full labour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a full labour" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing the entirety of work or effort put into a task, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "After a full labour on the project, the team finally achieved their goals."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Miliband will stage a full Labour shadow cabinet meeting in Glasgow on Friday, and then host a Q&A session with undecided voters in Motherwell, as he attempts to re-energise his party's faltering campaign against independence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A woman is in full labour, and the nuns are helping her struggle up the stairs while her friend draws heavily on a cigarette.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Instead he proposes giving people the choice of "opting in" - becoming full Labour members - when they join a Labour-supporting union.

BBC

Union hostility might be somewhat assuaged by mechanisms to convert trade unionists into full Labour members.

The Guardian - Opinion

A 2007 paper by Paul Klein, now at Simon Fraser University, and Gustavo Ventura, now at Arizona State University, reckons that full labour mobility could raise global output by up to 122%.

The Economist

To ensure the incorporation of the full labour demand, each of these single demands encompasses the realised (actual hires) and unrealised (unfulfilled vacancies) part of the labour category.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

The administrative data include all DI recipients in the participating cantons and contain full labour market histories, demographic characteristics, and information on first-pillar pensions.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Looking at the full labour market picture, we can conclude that the beneficial effects of ALMPs on the employment rate result from both unemployed individuals finding jobs and inactive ones coming back to the labour market.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

But the 2004 expansion saw many countries change their approach and delay labour market access - the UK, Ireland and Sweden were the only EU-15 countries to grant full labour market access to the new A10 countries in 2004.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

Mr Miliband hopes to transform hundreds of thousands of affiliate Labour members, recruited through their unions, into full Labour members, halting the long-term decline in the party's membership and activism.

BBC

The final scheduled strike will involve a full withdrawal of labour, the BMA says.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing labour in economic contexts, consider using more precise terms like "complete labor force" or "total workforce" to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a full labour" when referring to the process of childbirth; "full labor" (without "a") is the correct term in that context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a full labour" functions as a noun phrase, potentially describing the entirety of work or effort. However, as noted by Ludwig, the phrase is not commonly used and may sound awkward. Consider using more standard expressions for better clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a full labour" is a phrase that, while grammatically acceptable, is not commonly used in contemporary English. Ludwig highlights its potential for awkwardness, suggesting more standard alternatives such as "complete labor force" or "total workforce" for greater clarity. The phrase appears in both News & Media and Scientific contexts, but its infrequent usage makes it essential to consider the audience and purpose when choosing this phrase. When referring to childbirth, use "full labor" (without the "a").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete labor force

Focuses specifically on the entire workforce available.

total workforce

Highlights the aggregate number of workers.

full work effort

Emphasizes the extent of exertion in work.

complete manpower

Indicates the entire human resource available.

full working population

Refers to all individuals of working age engaged in labor.

total labor input

Highlights the comprehensive amount of labor used in production.

full employment

Denotes a situation where nearly all available workers are employed.

entire labor pool

Indicates the complete set of available workers.

absolute labor

Emphasizes the unconditional and unrestrained commitment to labour or work.

thorough effort

Indicates a deep and comprehensive approach to any effort, and could include labor.

FAQs

What does "a full labour" mean in economics?

In economics, "a full labour" is not a standard term. However, it could refer to the total workforce available or the complete labor input used in production. More precise terms like "complete labor force" or "total workforce" are generally preferred.

How can I use "a full labour" in a sentence about the workforce?

While not a standard phrase, you might use "a full labour" to describe a complete effort involving all available workers. For example: "The project required "a full labour" to meet the deadline." However, consider using clearer alternatives.

What's the difference between "full labor" and "a full labour"?

"Full labor" typically refers to the entirety of the work or effort involved in a task, or the final stage of childbirth. The phrase "a full labour" is less common and might refer to a complete workforce or work effort. Depending on the context, consider using "complete effort".

Are there better phrases to use instead of "a full labour"?

Yes, depending on the context, consider using "complete labor force", "total workforce", or "full work effort". These alternatives are more common and specific, enhancing clarity.