hours of labour

USAGE SUMMARY

"hours of labour" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the amount of time that is spent working, usually in a job or similar occupation. For example, "John works long hours of labour to provide for his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

A century later, a typical car can be had for only 1,365 hours of labour.

The Economist

Sweatshops often involve poverty-level wages, excessive hours of labour, and unsafe or unhealthful workplace conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Bob was there by my side through the 14 hours of labour," Charlotte says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hours of labour began to approximate nine per day in the 1870s and eight per day after World War I.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are 180 hours of labour ahead before these workers return home to Belarus, a three-day journey south-west.

The Guardian

But all the while they were mesmerising, a dramatic display of human ingenuity that took more than 30 million hours of labour to create.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Dermot looks like I did in my last hour of labour.

Independent

Manufacturing productivity in most rich countries, as measured by output per hour of labour, grew faster in 1999-2000 than in previous years.

The Economist

Any working composer or painter or sculptor will tell you that inspiration comes at the eighth hour of labour, rather than as a bolt out of the blue.

The Guardian - Film

Within an hour of Labour's victory in Corby, which has been held by every governing party for 30 years, Miliband strode into a picturesque village to declare that Middle England is abandoning the Tories.

The Guardian

Kasatka gave birth after an hour of labour, following a pregnancy of 18 months.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing manual labor, consider using "hours of labor" to emphasize the physical effort and time commitment involved.

Common error

Avoid using "hours of labour" interchangeably with effort or intensity of work. "Hours of labour" specifically refers to the duration of work, not necessarily the difficulty or productivity involved. It's crucial to distinguish between time spent and the effectiveness of that time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hours of labour" functions primarily as a noun phrase used to quantify and describe the amount of time dedicated to work or effort. Ludwig examples show it in contexts ranging from economic productivity to childbirth.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hours of labour" is a commonly used noun phrase referring to the duration of work or effort. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. It serves the primary function of quantifying work duration, often in relation to productivity or cost. While "hours of labor" is the American English spelling, "hours of labour" is preferred in British English. Key related phrases include "working hours" and "time spent working". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects time spent rather than effort or intensity. High-quality sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this term, underscoring its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working hours

Replaces "labour" with a more general term for work, focusing on the time spent working.

working time

Similar to "working hours", but slightly more formal.

time spent working

Emphasizes the duration of work, replacing the noun "labour" with the verb "working".

work hours

A shorter and more direct way to refer to the time dedicated to work.

labour duration

Focuses specifically on the length of the work period.

time dedicated to work

Highlights the commitment of time specifically for work-related activities.

time on the job

Highlights the time spent at the workplace, performing tasks.

period of employment

Focuses on a continuous duration of work, often in a specific role.

shift length

Refers to the duration of a specific work shift.

work schedule

Focuses on the planned arrangement of working hours.

FAQs

How can I use "hours of labour" in a sentence?

You can use "hours of labour" to describe the time spent on a task, like "The project required many "hours of labour" to complete" or "The cost was calculated based on the "hours of labour" involved".

What are some alternatives to "hours of labour"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "working hours", "time spent working", or "work hours" instead of "hours of labour".

Is "hours of labor" or "hours of labour" more common?

"Hours of labor" is the more common spelling in American English, while "hours of labour" is preferred in British English. Both are grammatically correct, but usage depends on the regional context.

What does "hours of labour" mean in an economic context?

In economics, "hours of labour" refers to the total time worked by individuals or a workforce, often used as a factor in calculating productivity and economic output. It is a key input in measuring labour productivity, which is output per "hours of labour".