belabour

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "belabour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone speaking or writing in a long and tedious manner. Example sentence: The professor belaboured his point for an hour, which caused many of the students to become drowsy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Not to belabour the point, and with all due respect, it's worth reiterating that nobody survived, so it wouldn't have mattered whether the kids had their own seats.

The Economist

Except for the morally vacuous, no one disagrees with Mr Handy that business is about more than profit and loss.Well, it is no terrible thing to belabour the obvious in a good cause.

The Economist

Nowhere in this weird syllogism do the words "casualties", "torture", or "dollars" appear.It may seem petty to belabour these old arguments now.

The Economist

Yet if he appears to belabour the point, it is with good reason.

The Economist

This blog has historically been critical of Mr Barbour (here and here for example), so there's no need to belabour the argument.

The Economist

In contrast, he devotes a scant four pages to Manchester United's debt-ridden takeover by the Glazer family, preferring to belabour bêtes noires such as Arsène Wenger (12 pages) and Rafa Benitez, plus, of course, the BBC.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

It belabours the point of just how necessary a thoughtful dialogue is.

The Economist

And so it goes.In this section A sticky gas-pedal Next please The waiting game Puns in the sun Belaboured Keep off the grass Seeking a new spy-in-chief Agent improbable A truck in the dock ReprintsAll this is harmless fantasy, of course.

The Economist

Even trying to realise that unrealistic dream represents a large and long-term commitment.In this section A sticky gas-pedal Next please The waiting game Puns in the sun Belaboured Keep off the grass Seeking a new spy-in-chief Agent improbable A truck in the dock ReprintsAs the weeks grind on, relations between BP and the federal government are fraying.

The Economist

This betrays, I think, a rather shallow conception of what the "obligations of citizenship" entail.At the risk of belabouring the obvious, there's an obvious objection we might call it a Kantian objection to a more nationally partisan press.

The Economist

Since then the unions' allies in the city council have tried to ensure that the West Side Wal-Mart is Chicago's last.In this section A sticky gas-pedal Next please The waiting game Puns in the sun Belaboured Keep off the grass Seeking a new spy-in-chief Agent improbable A truck in the dock ReprintsIn 2006 the council raised the minimum wage for "big box" stores.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "belabour" to indicate that a point is being discussed or explained excessively, often to the point of annoyance or tedium. This can add a critical or humorous tone to your writing.

Common error

While "belabour" is acceptable in various contexts, overuse in highly formal or academic writing may be perceived as overly critical or informal. Consider using more neutral terms like "elaborate" or "detail" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "belabour" is as a verb, typically used transitively to describe the act of discussing something at length or excessively. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is appropriate and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "belabour" is a verb used to describe discussing something at excessive length, often with a negative connotation. As the Ludwig AI confirms, the word "belabour" is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this term adds a critical or humorous edge to your writing. It’s important to use it judiciously, particularly in formal settings, to avoid sounding overly critical. Remember, you can replace "belabour" with gentler alternatives like "elaborate on" or "detail" if necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labor the point

Direct synonym, focusing on excessive detail or effort.

dwell on

Focuses on repeatedly thinking or talking about something.

harp on

Implies tedious and repetitive emphasis on a subject.

overemphasize

Stresses something beyond what is necessary or appropriate.

reiterate repeatedly

Highlights the act of saying something again multiple times.

make too much of

Implies giving undue importance to something.

beat a dead horse

Implies that further discussion is pointless because the issue is already settled.

expound at length

Indicates a detailed and lengthy explanation.

drag out

Suggests prolonging something unnecessarily.

overstate

Exaggerates the importance or severity of something.

FAQs

How do you use "belabour" in a sentence?

You can use "belabour" to describe someone excessively discussing or emphasizing a point. For example, "The speaker began to "belabour" the issue, causing many attendees to lose interest."

What's a less critical alternative to "belabour"?

Instead of "belabour", you could use alternatives like "elaborate on", "expand upon", or "detail" to present information without implying excessive repetition or tedium.

Is it ever appropriate to "belabour" a point?

While generally discouraged, "belabouring" a point can be strategically used for emphasis or when dealing with an audience that requires thorough explanation. However, it's crucial to be mindful of audience engagement and avoid excessive repetition.

What's the difference between "belabour" and "reiterate"?

"Reiterate" simply means to say something again for clarity or emphasis. "Belabour", on the other hand, implies that the reiteration is excessive and potentially annoying. So, while both involve repeating information, ""belabour"" carries a negative connotation of overdoing it.