have labored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have labored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of working hard or putting in effort over a period of time, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "They have labored tirelessly to complete the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many men through 275 years have labored to create it.

Yale University

The two men have labored to project a united front.

The New York Times

By all creaseless appearances, she and others have labored to prevent that.

The New York Times

Local workers have labored hard to remove salt from the soil in the past year.

The New York Times

It's certainly true that the mayor and city officials have labored hard to diversify the economy.

The New York Times

Since the shooting, city officials and religious leaders have labored to soothe tensions.

The New York Times

The history of congressional investigations demonstrates the difficulties under which the two houses have labored, respectively.

Cornell University

We must treat with respect those who have labored to meet our country's demands for oil.

The New York Times

"And I have labored long hours to get those speeches done.

The New York Times

Now, the efforts of all who have labored before us bring us to this moment.

The New York Times

The Soviet Union's important composers have labored hard, and one supposes enthusiastically, over the concerto form.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "have labored" in overly casual or informal settings, as it can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for more common synonyms like "have worked" or "have strived" in those cases.

Common error

Don't use "have labored" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It's better suited for formal documents, historical narratives, or when you want to emphasize the prolonged and challenging nature of the work done.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have labored" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating an action (laboring) completed at an unspecified time in the past, but with relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have labored" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that adds emphasis to the act of working hard. It is particularly fitting in formal writing contexts such as academic papers, news articles, and business communications. As indicated by Ludwig, it signals sustained effort and dedication, offering a stronger connotation than simpler alternatives like "have worked". When considering alternative phrasing, options like "have worked diligently" or "have toiled" can provide similar meanings, but "have labored" uniquely highlights the prolonged and often difficult nature of the endeavor. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in very informal settings, where it may sound out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have worked diligently

Replaces "labored" with a more common synonym and emphasizes the effort involved.

have toiled

Uses a more archaic synonym for "labored", suggesting hard work.

have strived

Focuses on the effort made towards achieving a goal.

have exerted effort

More explicit way of describing the use of effort.

have dedicated themselves

Emphasizes commitment and focus on a particular task.

have put in the effort

A more informal way of expressing the work done.

have made great efforts

Highlights the magnitude of the effort.

have been industrious

Focuses on the quality of being hardworking and diligent.

have applied themselves

Emphasizes focus and dedication to a specific task or goal.

have persevered

Highlights the persistence involved in overcoming obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "have labored" in a sentence?

The phrase "have labored" is used to describe sustained effort or hard work over a period of time. For example, "Researchers "have labored for decades" to find a cure for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "have labored"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "have worked hard", "have toiled", or "have strived" as alternatives to "have labored".

Is "have labored" formal or informal?

"Have labored" tends to be more formal and is often used in writing to emphasize the sustained effort involved in a task. In less formal contexts, "have worked" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "have labored" instead of "have worked"?

Use "have labored" when you want to emphasize the prolonged, difficult, or dedicated nature of the work. "Have worked" is a more general term, while "have labored" carries a stronger sense of effort and persistence. For example: "They "have worked tirelessly" on this project" vs. "They "have labored tirelessly" under difficult conditions".