laborious work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laborious work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a job or task that requires a lot of hard work or effort. For example: "I put in many hours of laborious work to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Travel

Much of the laborious work of picking a site and getting permits is done.

The New York Times

Time was when monitoring a suspected dead-letter box involved laborious work by humans.

The Economist

Even without the presence of UXO, this is difficult and laborious work.

Independent

Underneath it, he wrote, "What do serial victims look like statistically?" Creating the algorithm was laborious work.

The New Yorker

That said, we still need to do the laborious work of identifying the right stocks to buy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

When he was only 28, Darwin wrote in one of his notebooks, "If we choose to let conjecture run wild, then animals, our fellow brethren in pain, disease, suffering and famine -- our slaves in the most laborious works, our companions in our amusements -- they may partake of our origin in one common ancestor -- we may be all melted together".

The New York Times

In 1837, Charles Darwin wrote in his diary that "If we choose to let conjecture run wild, then animals, our fellow brethren in pain, disease, death, suffering and famine our slaves in the most laborious works, our companions in our amusements they may partake of our origin in one common ancestor we may be all melted together".

Wikipedia

But before any of that, somebody had to do hours of laborious, exacting work preparing articles about, and excerpts from, the papers for publication.

The New York Times

Federal agents relied on sophisticated scientific tests and laborious investigative work to conclude that only Dr. Bruce Ivins, who killed himself last week, could have made and mailed the anthrax used in the letters.

The New York Times

Manipulating 3-D scans of his own body on the computer, Mr. Dupont then marries digital fabrication methods like rapid prototyping and computer numerically controlled milling with traditional plaster casting and other laborious hand work to make figures that can appear both archaic and futuristic.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks, use "laborious work" to emphasize the significant effort and time required. This term can effectively convey the demanding nature of a project or job, helping to set expectations appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "laborious work" when the context already implies difficulty. For example, saying "the laborious work was difficult" is redundant; instead, simply state "the work was laborious" or "the task was difficult."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laborious work" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "laborious" modifies the noun "work". It describes the nature of the work being done, emphasizing the effort and difficulty involved. This aligns with Ludwig's indication that the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laborious work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe tasks requiring considerable effort and time. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific publications, it maintains a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the demanding nature of the task at hand and avoid redundancy. Consider alternatives like "arduous task" or "strenuous effort" to fine-tune the conveyed meaning. Finally, be aware to not overuse the expression to avoid a sensation of pleonasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous task

Replaces "work" with "task", emphasizing a specific undertaking.

strenuous effort

Focuses on the energy and exertion required.

demanding labor

Swaps "laborious" for "demanding" and "work" for "labor", highlighting the intensity of the task.

tiresome activity

Highlights the exhausting nature of the "work".

backbreaking job

Emphasizes the physically demanding nature of the task.

grueling undertaking

Replaces both words to convey the severity and challenge.

heavy lifting

An idiomatic expression indicating a significant and difficult contribution.

onerous duty

Highlights the burdensome nature of the task.

difficult assignment

Focuses on the challenge presented by the task.

toilsome task

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the effort required.

FAQs

How can I use "laborious work" in a sentence?

You can use "laborious work" to describe a task that requires significant effort and time. For instance, "The research involved a great deal of "painstaking research" and laborious work."

What are some alternatives to "laborious work"?

Alternatives include "arduous task", "strenuous effort", or "demanding labor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "laborious work" formal or informal?

"Laborious work" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may sound slightly more formal than simpler alternatives like "hard work".

What is the difference between "laborious work" and "difficult work"?

"Laborious work" emphasizes the effort and time required, while "difficult work" highlights the challenges and complexities involved. While often interchangeable, "laborious" focuses on the exertion, and "difficult" focuses on the obstacles.