labor force

USAGE SUMMARY

"labor force" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to people who are employed and contribute to a country's economy. For example: "The labor force in the United States is large and contributes significantly to the country's GDP."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Take the labor force.

The Washington Post

But Spain's labor force remains precariously bifurcated.

The New York Times

Growth in Mexico's labor force has slowed.

The New York Times

They weren't always in the labor force.

Harvard University

They've dropped out of the labor force.

Cornell University

Marriage, changing; labor force attachment changing.

University of California, Berkeley

The vice president has the labor force.

The New York Times

More cutbacks to the city's labor force?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Or that women's labor-force participation has been overtaken?

The New York Times

Building The Labor Force With Forced Labor.

Forbes

Labor Force Participation Rate, 2000-2013.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic trends, clearly define which "labor force" you're referencing (e.g., national, regional, industry-specific) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "labor force" interchangeably with "employment rate". The "labor force" refers to all people who are able to work and are actively seeking employment, while the employment rate is a percentage of people from the labor force that are actually working.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "labor force" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to the total number of people available for work. Ludwig's examples confirm this, showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "labor force" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase referring to the total number of people employed or seeking employment, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. While "workforce" is a close synonym, "labor force" generally carries a broader economic connotation. When using this term, it's important to clearly define the specific segment you're referencing (e.g., national, regional, or industry-specific) to avoid confusion. Remember not to confuse it with employment rate, as these are different metrics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

workforce

Replaces "labor force" with a single word, maintaining the meaning.

labor supply

Focuses specifically on the availability of workers in the market.

working population

Emphasizes the segment of the population engaged in work.

pool of labor

Suggests the available supply of workers.

employee base

Focuses on the employees within a specific company or industry.

human capital

Highlights the economic value of workers' skills and experience.

personnel

Refers to the staff or employees of an organization.

manpower

Traditional term for the available workers; use with caution due to gendered implications.

employment sector

Refers to segment of economy where workers are hired.

job market

Highlights available jobs and potential workers.

FAQs

What is the definition of "labor force"?

The "labor force" is the total number of people who are either employed or actively seeking employment in a country or region.

How does the "labor force" participation rate affect the economy?

A higher "labor force participation" rate generally indicates a healthier economy, as more people are either working or actively looking for work.

What factors influence the size and composition of the "labor force"?

The size and composition of the "labor force" are influenced by factors such as population growth, education levels, retirement rates, and economic conditions.

What's the difference between "workforce" and "labor force"?

The terms "workforce" and "labor force" are often used interchangeably. "Workforce" may sometimes refer more specifically to the employees of a particular company or industry, while "labor force" usually has a broader economic context.