Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
highly laborious
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "highly laborious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or process that requires a significant amount of effort and hard work. Example: "The project was highly laborious, requiring countless hours of research and manual data entry."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
9 human-written examples
And countries applying to have such low-emissions areas off their coasts have to show that their shore-based industries, too, are reducing their emissions — all highly laborious stuff involving regulation and much monitoring of shore-based industry emissions, explained Arthur Bowring, managing director of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, one of the largest associations of its kind.
News & Media
Manually updating annotations is therefore highly laborious.
Science
Genome screening for QTL is usually costly and highly laborious.
Science
Since it is a highly laborious and costly method, only a few highly specialized laboratories worldwide are offering this method.
Science
Moreover, PFGE is a time consuming and highly laborious method which can be performed only in reference laboratories.
Science
The reconstruction of genome-scale networks is a highly laborious long-term effort, which requires intensive curation [ 4].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
51 human-written examples
Piece molding is a highly skilled and laborious process.
Encyclopedias
Riveting, a laborious, highly skilled task, was replaced at the Kaiser shipyards by faster prefabrication techniques during the war.
News & Media
It is a laborious, highly manual and sometimes confrontational process that helps explain why it can sometimes take so long to determine final election results in New York.
News & Media
This highly skilled and laborious process began by sticking two sheets of paper together with glue made from chewed prison bread, passed through linen.
News & Media
and biomedical justification (last columns in Tables 1– 3) for the highly expensive and laborious verification of SNPs during a search for an SNP marker that can be validated only by a higher incidence in patients than in healthy people.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing a task as "highly laborious", provide specific details about what makes it so. For example, mention the time required, the number of steps involved, or the level of skill needed.
Common error
While grammatically correct, "highly laborious" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "really hard" or "a lot of work" in such situations.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "highly laborious" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, emphasizing the extensive effort required. Ludwig shows its common use in academic and scientific writing to describe demanding processes.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
30%
Encyclopedias
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "highly laborious" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing tasks that require significant effort and time. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's essential to consider the context, as it is best suited for formal and scientific writing. In more informal settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. The phrase is frequently found in scientific and news media sources. Remember to provide specific details about the task when using "highly laborious" to enhance clarity and impact.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
extremely arduous
Focuses more on the difficulty and strain involved.
very demanding
Emphasizes the high requirements and expectations of the task.
intensely painstaking
Highlights the need for extreme care and precision.
exceptionally toilsome
Stresses the exhausting and wearisome nature of the work.
exceedingly strenuous
Points out the physically or mentally challenging aspect.
terribly burdensome
Indicates that the task is heavy and difficult to bear.
hugely taxing
Highlights the depleting effect on one's resources.
major undertaking
Implies a project of substantial size and complexity.
remarkably complex
Emphasizes the intricate and involved nature of the task.
seriously tedious
Focuses on the monotonous and wearisome quality of the work.
FAQs
What does "highly laborious" mean?
The phrase "highly laborious" describes something that requires a great deal of effort, time, and hard work. It implies that a task is not only difficult but also involves many steps or processes.
How can I use "highly laborious" in a sentence?
You can use "highly laborious" to describe a process, task, or activity. For example: "Reconstructing genome-scale networks is a "highly laborious" long-term effort." or "The research involved a "highly laborious" data collection process."
What can I say instead of "highly laborious"?
Alternatives to "highly laborious" include "extremely arduous", "very demanding", or "intensely painstaking", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.
Is "highly laborious" formal or informal?
"Highly laborious" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more informal contexts, you might choose simpler alternatives such as "very difficult" or "a lot of work".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested