have been laboring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been laboring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or effort that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "We have been laboring on this project for several months, and we are finally seeing progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Arts

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Since then I have been laboring in obscurity, contributing to The Wall Street Journal.

The New York Times

For Britons who have been laboring through more than five years of recession, or near recession, that is welcome news.

The New Yorker

David Bell and Joe Scarpulla have been laboring for years on a stop-motion animated film and photo series with an elaborate, labor-intensive miniature set.

The New York Times - Arts

Both Mitt Romney and Representative Ron Paul, whose organizations have been laboring in the signature-gathering vineyards for months, were able to get on the Virginia ballot.

The New York Times

House Republican leaders have been working on a much more modest plan to expand individual retirement accounts and have been laboring mightily to build bipartisan support.

The New York Times

Workmen have been laboring around the clock to transform a vast Finance Police school into the summit meeting headquarters from Wednesday through Friday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"With you it would have been labored and overanalyzed.... To me it just felt right".

The New Yorker

He had been laboring for hours, as was his wont.

The New York Times

So Congress has been laboring to disguise a price increase in a more palatable package.

The New York Times

Mr. Aaronson has been laboring to preserve party unity since he was elected chairman in January.

The New York Times

He had been laboring over several songs since the release of "Rock It," ten years earlier.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been laboring" to describe sustained effort over a period, particularly when the work is challenging or demanding. It's suitable in formal and informal contexts to illustrate dedication.

Common error

While "have been laboring" implies hard work, avoid using it when the context is exclusively positive or effortless. For example, "They have been laboring to enjoy their vacation" sounds odd; "working hard to enjoy" might fit better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been laboring" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it describes an action that started in the past, continues into the present, and emphasizes the duration and effort involved. It often suggests persistent and challenging work.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science & Research

8%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Sports

4%

Politics

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been laboring" is a versatile phrase used to describe sustained effort or hard work over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media. It implies continuous and potentially challenging work, distinguishing it from simpler alternatives like "have been working". It’s best to use "have been laboring" when you want to emphasize the duration, persistence, and potentially difficult nature of the effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been toiling

Replaces "laboring" with "toiling", emphasizing arduous work.

have been striving

Focuses on the effort made toward achieving a goal.

have been working diligently

Highlights the care and perseverance involved.

have been exerting themselves

Emphasizes the physical or mental effort expended.

have been putting in effort

A more general way of expressing effort.

have been dedicating themselves

Shows commitment and focus.

have been plugging away

Informal way to describe persistent effort.

have been grinding

An even more informal expression for working hard.

have been occupied

Describes that someone has been busy with activity, though it doesn't suggest that they are struggling.

have been engrossed

Implies deep involvement or absorption.

FAQs

How can I use "have been laboring" in a sentence?

Use "have been laboring" to describe a continuous effort or hard work over a period. For example, "Scientists "have been laboring" to find a cure for the disease for years."

What are some alternatives to "have been laboring"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have been working", "have been toiling", or "have been striving".

Is "have been laboring" formal or informal?

"Have been laboring" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and tone. It generally implies a significant and sustained effort.

What's the difference between "have been working" and "have been laboring"?

While both phrases describe effort, "have been working" is a more general term. "Have been laboring" often suggests a more difficult or arduous undertaking.