already in labor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already in labor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to childbirth, indicating that a woman is in the process of giving birth. Example: "When I called her, she was already in labor and on her way to the hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I was already in labor.

The New York Times

The mother arrived at a rural hospital in the fall of 2010 already in labor and gave birth prematurely.

The New York Times - Health

A woman's due date is often irrelevant; if she is not already in labor or near term, the infection may cause a spontaneous abortion.

The New Yorker

One woman, Jennafer Norris, learned that her doctor was barred from performing a tubal ligation when she was already in labor.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

BEREGA, Tanzania — The young woman had already been in labor for two days by the time she reached the hospital here.

The New York Times - Health

Couple this with an underlying growth rate of just 2percentt in the United States, a Europe that could only dream of such a number and a China that has already peaked in labor force population.

TechCrunch

The status quo is evident in the situation in which adults (and young people) already in the labor market manage to keep their jobs, making the entrance of new young people into the labor market more difficult.

Journal for Labour Market Research

I remember going into the hospital and the doctor telling me that I was already in active labor.

Huffington Post

Added to the mix of chronic unemployment is the already anticipated decline in labor force growth as baby boomers begin to reach retirement age.

Forbes

On the day after the disaster, Levin was already in touch with labor unions to implement worker protections, even though authorities had not yet warned of environmental hazards.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Globalization is already causing a shift in labor and economic activity around the world.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already in labor" to clearly indicate that the birthing process has commenced before a specific event or observation. It avoids ambiguity about the timing of labor's onset.

Common error

Avoid using "already in labor" when referring to preliminary signs of labor. Use it only when active labor, characterized by regular contractions, has been confirmed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already in labor" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the state of being in the process of childbirth. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "already in labor" is a grammatically correct and understandable prepositional phrase used to denote that the birthing process has started. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is accurate and appropriate in written English. While found more frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communications. While "already in labor" is not overly common, it is recognized and is clearly a useful way to communicate information about childbirth. Using alternative phrases, such as "currently in labor" or "experiencing labor", can add nuance depending on the specific situation. It's important to remember to only use this phrase when active labor is confirmed, not just when there are preliminary signs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

currently in labor

Focuses on the present time of being in labor, similar to the original phrase but emphasizing the current state.

in active labor

Specifies that the labor is at an advanced stage.

experiencing labor

Highlights the act of undergoing the process of labor.

undergoing childbirth

Emphasizes the process of giving birth.

in the throes of labor

Implies a more intense and difficult stage of labor.

well into labor

Indicates the labor has progressed significantly.

giving birth

Focuses on the act of delivering a baby.

about to deliver

Suggests the imminent arrival of the baby.

in the process of giving birth

More explicitly describes the state of childbirth.

close to delivery

Indicates that the birth is near.

FAQs

How can I use "already in labor" in a sentence?

You can use "already in labor" to indicate that someone was in the process of giving birth before a particular event. For example, "When the ambulance arrived, she was "already in labor"".

What's a more formal way to say "already in labor"?

In more formal contexts, you could say "in the process of childbirth" or "experiencing labor". These phrases are suitable for medical reports or formal documentation.

What can I say instead of "already in labor" to emphasize the intensity?

To emphasize the intensity of labor, you might use "in active labor" or "in the throes of labor". These phrases convey that the person is experiencing a strong or advanced stage of labor.

Is it appropriate to use "already in labor" in casual conversation?

Yes, "already in labor" is appropriate in casual conversation when discussing someone who has started the birthing process. It's a clear and easily understood phrase.