kept in labor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept in labor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing someone being engaged in work or tasks, often implying a sense of being occupied or burdened by work. Example: "The workers were kept in labor throughout the night to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

MR. JUSTICE JACKSON: Were they kept in labor camps?

Yale University

He was also carrying a small toothbrush he had kept in labor camp, one of the few personal possessions.

The New York Times

Do you know that to be true?" "Our archives have shown that it is true, some of them were transferred to the territory of the former U.S.S.R. and were kept in labor camps.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But so long as Mr. Khodorkovsky is kept in a labor camp and denied parole for not sewing properly, he remains a powerful symbol of the lack of independence of Russia's prosecutors and judges.

The New York Times

They include a pregnant woman kept in shackles during labor and an Army veteran held for three years while he fought deportation.

The New York Times

Many children are kept in poverty, child labor, human trafficking, shop lifting, pocket-picking, burglary, malnutrition, child molestation, juvenile delinquency facility, orphanage and endless struggle for survival partly because they lack moral, spiritual and financial supports from their parents.

WikiHow

This meant the prison switched over to an "anti-punishment system" in which inmates were kept in line through forced labor, some paving roads still trafficked in Crown Heights today, others working for the Bay State Shoe and Leather Company, which leased the convicts' labor.

Vice

"Our politicians know all about this – the broader community may be kept in the dark but both Labor the Coalition know all about this and their silence is taken as consent," Curr said.

The Guardian

And, letting her know that other women had moments of doubt but pushed through may be just the thing she needs to help keep going in labor.

HuffPost

It's a good lesson to keep in mind as Labor Day weekend approaches and sales abound and beckon with such disarmingly flagrant allure.

Huffington Post

The fiscal cliff talks in general have kept organized labor in post-election campaign mode.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "kept in labor", ensure the context clearly indicates the involuntary nature of the work. This phrase often implies unethical or illegal practices such as forced labor or imprisonment.

Common error

Avoid using "kept in labor" when describing ordinary employment. This phrase suggests coercion or exploitation, so use more neutral terms like "employed", "worked", or "engaged in work" for standard job contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept in labor" functions as a passive construction describing a state of being subjected to work. It emphasizes the involuntary nature of the labor, often associated with imprisonment or servitude. Ludwig's examples showcase contexts related to historical events and human rights violations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept in labor" is a grammatically correct but relatively rare expression used to describe situations where individuals are forced to work involuntarily. According to Ludwig, it often carries implications of exploitation or imprisonment, aligning with contexts found in News & Media and Academia. When writing, it's crucial to be mindful of these connotations to accurately convey the intended meaning. While "kept in labor" is acceptable, related phrases like "subjected to forced labor" or "held in servitude" may offer more precise alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subjected to forced labor

More formal and legalistic, stressing the illegality and human rights violation.

enslaved for work

Strongly emphasizes the condition of being a slave and forced to work.

forced into work

Emphasizes the act of compelling someone to work against their will.

compelled to work

Similar to 'forced into work' but with a slightly stronger emphasis on obligation.

held in servitude

Focuses more on the state of being a slave or servant, implying a lack of freedom and autonomy.

confined to work

Highlights the restriction of movement and the limited scope of activity.

indentured to service

Highlights a contractual or quasi-contractual obligation to provide labor, often under exploitative conditions.

made to toil

Highlights the strenuous and exhausting nature of the labor.

imprisoned for labor

Emphasizes the element of imprisonment as the primary means of enforcing the work.

involuntarily employed

Focuses on the lack of consent and the employment status being against one's will.

FAQs

What does "kept in labor" mean?

The phrase "kept in labor" typically refers to a situation where individuals are forced to work against their will, often under harsh conditions, such as in labor camps or through enslavement.

What are some alternatives to "kept in labor"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "subjected to forced labor", "held in servitude", or "compelled to work".

Is "kept in labor" a common phrase?

No, "kept in labor" is not a very common phrase. It is typically used in specific contexts relating to historical or contemporary instances of forced labor.

How can I use "kept in labor" in a sentence?

Example: "Historical records show that prisoners of war were often "subjected to forced labor"/kept in labor in harsh conditions".