labour

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'labour' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that typically means physical or mental work, especially hard, tiring, or heavy work. Example sentence: The company spent much time and labour preparing the product for launch.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is untrue from start to finish, and was quite likely dreamt up by the Labour press office.

The Guardian

She has no compunction in moving Labour beyond our comfort zone and is determined to build a team ready to chart a route forward".

The Guardian

Asked if she expected Ukip to run have Labour so close, she said: "To be honest with you I have been through more or less every scenario.

The Guardian

Instead, a Labour government will raise them at least in line with inflation in every budget".

The Guardian

Outstanding issues include pensions, labour market reform, VAT rates and Greece's budget targets.

The Guardian - Business

Is a big Labour win good for democracy?

The Guardian

"The rules are the rules," one Labour adviser said – regardless of the political argument about legitimacy that Cameron may make.

The Guardian

So don't for a moment let Labour get away with it.

The Economist

Fielding didn't labour for 30 years at the chalk face to render his pupils illiterate and innumerate.

The Guardian

The emergence of Ukip as a viable political force is the result of a declining labour market.

The Guardian

Nigel Farage says "vote Conservative and you'll end up with Labour" (theguardian.com, 10 October).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "labour" to refer to the process of childbirth in medical or personal contexts for a respectful and accurate description.

Common error

In American English, the spelling is "labor". Ensure you use the correct spelling based on your target audience. In British English, use "labour".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "labour" is that of a noun, referring to physical or mental exertion, a body of workers, or the process of childbirth. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in contexts concerning economics and politics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "labour" is widely used as a noun with meanings spanning from general physical or mental exertion to childbirth and a specific designation for workers. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English, with a neutral to formal tone, especially in media and business. When using "labour", consider the specific context: is it about work, childbirth, or a political movement? Remember to adjust the spelling to "labor" for American English. By using this guide, you should be able to ensure your writing is accurate and clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

workforce

Focuses on the collective body of workers available for or engaged in work.

work

A general term for activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

manual labor

Specifically refers to physical work done by hand.

toil

Emphasizes strenuous effort and hard work.

exertion

Highlights the act of applying effort or force.

effort

A more general term indicating the use of energy to accomplish something.

employment

Refers specifically to the state of having paid work.

drudgery

Implies tedious, menial, and exhausting work.

industry

Focuses on economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in factories.

human resources

A business term for the department or people responsible for employee management.

FAQs

How can I use "labour" in a sentence?

You can use "labour" to refer to work, especially physical work (e.g., "The construction required significant manual labour"), or to the process of childbirth (e.g., "She was in labour for twelve hours").

What words can I use instead of "labour"?

Depending on the context, you could use "work", "effort", "toil", or "exertion" to replace "labour". In the context of childbirth, "childbirth" or "delivery" are suitable alternatives.

Is "labor" or "labour" correct?

"Labour" is the British English spelling, while "labor" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, depending on the region.

What is the difference between "labour" and "work"?

"Work" is a general term for any activity involving effort. "Labour" often implies physical or strenuous effort, or it can specifically refer to childbirth. The term also is used to describe the human resource available.