it was laborious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was laborious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or process that required a lot of effort and was difficult to complete. Example: "The project was challenging, and it was laborious to gather all the necessary data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Dr Miriam Westheimer, who first brought the program to the US and is now its International Director, told Apolitical that transplanting it was laborious at first.

Huffington Post

It was laborious.

The Guardian

"It was laborious; it took hours; it was not practical.

The New Yorker

It was laborious, but he was accustomed to projects that took time — he already did large pen-and-ink drawings with mind-boggling layers of detail.

The New York Times

If the Dodgers did not outplay the Cardinals, they certainly outlasted them, 5-3, in a game that was as long (a division-series record 3 hours, 52 minutes) as it was laborious (13 walks and a playoff-record 30 runners left on base).

The New York Times - Sports

It was laborious, back-breaking work and God help me if I misplaced that notebook.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's laborious, but ultimately more detailed".

The Guardian - Film

It's laborious work, but he'll soon be getting a little help.

University of California, Berkeley

It's laborious, but the imposition of defensive systems has invoked it.

The New Yorker

It is laborious work – pulling in a net can take up to an hour.

The Guardian - Travel

It is laborious and treacherous, with children sometimes losing their footing and falling in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was laborious", ensure that the context clearly defines what "it" refers to. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it was laborious" to describe simple or quick tasks. "Laborious" implies a significant and sustained effort. Consider using words like "difficult" or "time-consuming" for tasks that aren't particularly strenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was laborious" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that a particular task or activity required considerable effort and time. Ludwig examples show it used to describe processes ranging from historical research to artistic creation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was laborious" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe tasks demanding significant effort and time. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and the provided examples showcase its application across varied contexts, including news, science, and lifestyle. While "it was laborious" isn't the most frequent expression, it effectively conveys the demanding nature of a task. When using "it was laborious", ensure clear context and avoid applying it to simple tasks. If you want to be more specific, you can also use the suggestions reported above, like "it proved to be arduous".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proved to be arduous

Replaces "laborious" with "arduous" and rephrases the sentence to emphasize the proving aspect of the task.

it turned out to be strenuous

Substitutes "laborious" with "strenuous" and uses "turned out to be" to highlight the discovery of the effort involved.

it demanded considerable exertion

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and emphatic description of the effort required.

it involved painstaking effort

Highlights the meticulous and careful nature of the work, replacing "laborious" with "painstaking".

it necessitated immense toil

Replaces "laborious" with "immense toil" for a stronger, more evocative description of the effort.

it was a taxing endeavor

Uses "taxing endeavor" to emphasize the draining and challenging nature of the task.

it required backbreaking work

Emphasizes the physically demanding nature of the work, implying intense labor.

it presented significant challenges

Shifts the focus to the challenges posed by the task, rather than the labor itself.

it consumed a great deal of time and energy

Details the resources that the task required, focusing on time and energy expenditure.

it entailed a complex undertaking

Focuses on the complexity of the task, implying that the laboriousness stems from its intricacy.

FAQs

How can I use "it was laborious" in a sentence?

Use "it was laborious" to describe a task or process that required significant effort and time. For example, "The research process was complex, and "it was laborious" to gather all the necessary data."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was laborious"?

You can use alternatives like "it was arduous", "it was strenuous", or "it demanded considerable exertion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was laborious" or "it was difficult"?

"It was difficult" is a more general term that can apply to a wider range of situations. "It was laborious" specifically implies a task that required a lot of sustained effort and time.

What's the difference between "it was laborious" and "it was tedious"?

"It was laborious" suggests a task involved a lot of hard work, while "it was tedious" implies a task was boring and repetitive, even if not particularly difficult. They emphasize different aspects of the experience.