a hard labour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a hard labour' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is often used to refer to tedious and difficult work. Example Sentence: I had to do a hard labour to get the project finished on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We feared that at any moment we could be sent to a hard labour camp.

The Guardian

He spent 3 years in a hard labour camp after refusing to transport prisoners during his military service.His strategy was always entirely pacific and meticulously planned.

The Economist

He survived a hard labour prison in Brandenburg, but died in a displaced persons camp on 13 June 1945.

BBC

"Under a hard labour sentence, which was the severest form of sentence in the British legal system, the first month was spent in solitary confinement in the cell," he recalled.

BBC

It was a hard labour prison, which is about the best place to send all your hardened, nastiest pieces of work.

Wikipedia

It hasn't come without repercussions their bodies still carry scars from their time in a hard labour camp, and their hunger strikes during imprisonment.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It also landed Masha and her bandmates, Nadya Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich, a two-year stint in a Russian hard labour camp.

Vice

One participant observed: "Beating, threatening a child, hard labour, punishments, etc., must not be welcomed at all...It robs a child of the opportunities and the strength he needs to go and become the best he can be in life".

Unicef

"I am a red-hot socialist," said Michael Redgrave; while Kika's father, a gentle anarchist, was imprisoned for a year's hard labour for being a conscientious objector.

The Guardian - Books

Inmates followed a regimen of "hard labour, hard fare and a hard bed", which wore very harshly on Wilde, accustomed as he was to many creature comforts.

Wikipedia

The first cause of a difficult and hard labour was also listed by Paré as a fat mother in a chapter on ' What the causes of difficult and painful travail in child-birth are'.

Historical Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing work or a sentence, use "a hard labour" to emphasize the difficulty, severity, and demanding nature of the task or punishment.

Common error

Avoid using "a hard labour" as a generic substitute for any difficult task. This phrase carries specific connotations of physical demand and, often, punitive conditions. Use alternatives like "a difficult task" or "a challenging project" when the context doesn't involve strenuous physical exertion or punishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard labour" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object of a verb or a complement. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts. Examples show it describing types of imprisonment or particularly strenuous activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard labour" is a grammatically sound phrase denoting physically demanding work, often in a punitive context. As shown by Ludwig, its most common usage appears in news and media, with formal and business contexts also present. While not extremely frequent, the phrase serves a specific purpose in emphasizing the severity and difficulty of the described task. To avoid misuse, it's important to distinguish its implications from general difficulty and choose more appropriate alternatives when describing non-physical challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous work

Emphasizes the difficulty and strenuous nature of the work involved.

grueling task

Highlights the exhausting and demanding character of the task.

tough assignment

Focuses on the challenging and difficult nature of the assigned work.

rigorous labor

Stresses the strictness and demanding nature of the physical work.

punishing ordeal

Conveys a sense of suffering and hardship endured during the experience.

severe penalty

Shifts the focus from work to the harsh consequences or punishment.

strict discipline

Highlights the rigid and demanding control or training.

harsh sentence

Refers to a severe and often unfair punishment imposed by a court.

taxing endeavor

Emphasizes the draining and demanding aspect of the undertaking.

onerous duty

Highlights the burdensome and troublesome nature of the responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "a hard labour" in a sentence?

You can use "a hard labour" to describe a difficult physical task or a severe punishment involving strenuous work. For example: "He was sentenced to a year of "a hard labour" for his crimes."

What are some alternatives to "a hard labour"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "arduous work", "grueling task", or "rigorous labor" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "hard labor" without the article "a"?

Yes, "hard labor" (without the article "a") is also correct and commonly used, especially in American English. Both "hard labor" and ""a hard labour"" refer to the same concept.

What is the difference between "a hard labour" and "difficult work"?

"A hard labour" typically implies physically demanding work, often associated with punishment or imprisonment. "Difficult work" is a broader term that can refer to any challenging task, whether physical or mental.