labor intensive

USAGE SUMMARY

'labor intensive' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that requires a lot of physical or mental effort. For example, "Building a house from scratch is a labor intensive process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"But it is labor intensive.

The New York Times - Food

And it's labor intensive.

The New York Times - Travel

Very labor intensive stuff.

Cornell University

Maintaining that edge was labor intensive.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's very labor intensive," he said.

The New York Times

Organic farming is slightly more labor intensive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Very labor- intensive.

Forbes

And wickedly labor-intensive.

The New Yorker

"It's more labor-intensive".

The New York Times

"They're pretty labor-intensive".

The New York Times

The harvest was labor-intensive.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or industry, use "labor intensive" to clearly convey that it requires a significant workforce or high manual effort. For example: "Organic farming is a labor intensive agricultural practice."

Common error

Be careful not to describe something as "labor intensive" if automation or technology significantly reduces the need for manual labor. Instead, consider alternative descriptions such as "technology-assisted" or "semi-automated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "labor intensive" functions as a compound adjective, typically used to modify a noun. It describes something that requires a significant amount of human effort or manual labor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is well-formed and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

32%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "labor intensive" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe something that requires a significant amount of manual work or human effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful phrase in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia and Science, it serves to characterize processes and industries that depend heavily on manual labor. When using "labor intensive", ensure it accurately reflects the effort involved and consider context-specific alternatives like "manpower intensive" or "work intensive" for nuanced communication. Avoid using it when automation plays a major role, as this would be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manpower intensive

Emphasizes the amount of human labor needed.

work intensive

Highlights the demanding nature of the work.

effortful

Focuses on the significant effort required.

high-effort

A more direct and straightforward way to express the need for high effort.

demanding

Highlights the high demands placed on resources.

arduous

Implies a task is difficult and tiring.

exacting

Emphasizes the need for precision and care, increasing effort.

time-consuming

Focuses on the extensive time required to complete the task.

difficult to execute

Focuses on the complexity and challenges involved.

resource intensive

Highlights the need for a significant amount of resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "labor intensive" to describe processes or industries that require a lot of manual work. For instance, "Handmade crafts are often "labor intensive" because each piece requires individual attention".

What are some alternatives to "labor intensive"?

Alternatives include "manpower intensive", "work intensive", or "high-effort", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "labor intensive" in formal writing?

Yes, "labor intensive" is appropriate in formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to describe processes or industries that require significant manual effort. The Ludwig AI confirms that "labor intensive" is correct and usable in written English.

What's the difference between "labor intensive" and "time-consuming"?

"Labor intensive" emphasizes the amount of manual effort required, while "time-consuming" focuses on the duration of the task. A task can be both, but they highlight different aspects.