had labored until

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had labored until" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing and continued up to a certain point in time in the past. Example: "She had labored until the sun set, determined to finish her project before nightfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Series II contains another 2,000 sheets of material consisting of a complete draft of a revised text of La gran conquista de ultramar, on which Professor George Tyler Northup had labored until the time of his death on March 29 , 1964

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, which emerged from the Oslo agreement, sent a letter of condolence to the Peres family, calling him a "brave" partner in peace who had labored intensively until his death to realize the promise of the accords, according to the Palestinian news media.

The New York Times

And there he might have labored in obscurity, until he received a call from Mr. Paulson just days after his nomination in 2006.

The New York Times

In contrast, parties, such as petitioner, who wait to litigate until after others have labored to create a new rule, are merely asserting a right that is theirs in law, is not being applied on a prospective basis only, and is not otherwise barred by state procedural requirements.

Cornell University

Mitchell has labored at times.

Los Angeles Times

"She started having labor pains.

The New York Times - Health

We haven't had successful labor marketplaces until recently, but now we have several, and dozens more that hope to find gold.

TechCrunch

The impact of the baby surge is being felt all across Fayetteville, a city of 210,000, from the registries at Fleishman's Tiny Town to the civilian hospital, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where the overflow of military patients sometimes has to labor in the waiting room until beds become available.

The New York Times

So agency officials thought they had until after Labor Day to get ready.

The New York Times

Fifty three per cent had spontaneous labor.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Having secured labor peace until 2007, Michael Bloomberg -- who is the first mayor to have direct control of the city schools -- has prepared the way for the next phase of reform.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had labored until" to clearly indicate that an action continued up to a specific point in the past, emphasizing the duration and completion of the effort. It works well when emphasizing a dedication to a particular task that continued until a significant event or deadline.

Common error

Avoid using "labored" in casual or informal writing. While grammatically correct, "labored" can sound overly formal or archaic in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler words like "worked" or "tried" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had labored until" functions as a past perfect construction indicating an action ("labored") that continued up to a specific point in the past. This construction is often used to emphasize the duration and completion of the effort before a subsequent event. Ludwig confirms the correct use of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had labored until" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe an action that continued with dedication until a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "worked until", it adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the duration of the effort. It's most likely to be found in news, academic, and professional writing. When writing, ensure the context justifies the slightly elevated tone of the word "labored", opting for more common synonyms if a more casual feel is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked until

Replaces "labored" with a more common synonym, maintaining the original meaning.

toiled until

Substitutes "labored" with a word suggesting harder work or effort.

kept working until

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the work.

strived until

Replaces "labored" to highlight the effort and ambition involved.

continued to work until

Highlights the ongoing action leading up to a specific point.

endeavored until

A more formal substitute for "labored", emphasizing dedication.

persisted until

Focuses on the continuation of effort despite challenges.

dedicated himself to until

Highlights the strong commitment and effort involved until a specific point.

was working up to

Shifts the focus to the period leading up to a certain moment.

applied himself diligently until

Emphasizes the level of effort and care put into the work.

FAQs

What does "had labored until" mean?

The phrase "had labored until" means someone worked diligently at something up to a particular time or event in the past. It emphasizes the duration and completion of the effort.

What can I say instead of "had labored until"?

You can use alternatives like "worked until", "toiled until", or "persisted until" depending on the context.

Is "had labored until" formal or informal?

The phrase "had labored until" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "worked until" are more common.

How can I use "had labored until" in a sentence?

Example: "Professor Northup "had labored until" his death to revise the text."