labourers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "labourers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who perform physical work, often in manual labor or construction jobs. Example: "The construction site was bustling with labourers, each focused on their specific tasks to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to Kovalchuk, Russian trawlers such as the Dalny Vostok, which clean and freeze fish on board, often illegally take on foreign labourers at sea to get around cumbersome labour migration regulations.

The Guardian

When the flow of indentured labour stopped in 1920, many other free migrant labourers arrived from India.

The Economist

Some of the migrant labourers are going home in caskets.

The Guardian

Although the TDIC said the report showed that improvements had been made, this August saw violent clashes among migrant labourers, reportedly provoked by the deportation of strikers and the hiring of "scab" workers.

The Guardian

Bakhrom Ismailov of Russia Without Racism recounted instances of discrimination against immigrants, such as locals frequently calling the police when Central Asian labourers gather for pick-up football games.

The Guardian - Sport

Egypt's chief archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, said the finds show the workers were paid labourers, rather than slaves.

The Guardian

Uzbekistan's practice of sending forced labourers to pick the cotton harvest causes a furore among right groups abroad every year, but now there are rumblings of discontent from within the country.

The Guardian

Hawass said and that evidence indicates they the approximately 10,000 labourers working on the pyramids they ate 21 cattle and 23 sheep sent to them daily from farms.

The Guardian

Remittances from these migrant labourers are estimated to account for 52% of GDP, according to World Bank data.

The Guardian

Among Middleton's ancestors are Northumbrian miners and Kent builders' labourers.

The Guardian

The Romanians and Bulgarians arriving in Britain next year will include students like Todea, labourers like Ciornihac, high-skilled, hi-tech specialists like Vernescu and Ingilzov.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing labor practices or workers' rights, using "labourers" can provide a more precise and respectful way to refer to individuals engaged in manual work, especially when contrasted with potentially dehumanizing terms like "workers" or "employees".

Common error

Be careful when generalizing about the experiences or conditions of all "labourers". Specificity regarding the industry, location, and type of work provides a more accurate and nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "labourers" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple individuals who perform manual labor or physical work, often for wages. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing "labourers" acting as the subject or object of sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "labourers" functions as a plural noun denoting individuals performing manual labor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in "News & Media". While neutral in register, it precisely describes physical work contexts. For alternatives, consider "manual workers" or "blue-collar workers". When using "labourers", avoid broad generalizations and be specific about the work's context to ensure accuracy. Recognizing the distinction between "labourers" and more general terms like "workers" enhances clarity in discussions about labor practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manual workers

Focuses on the manual aspect of the work performed by labourers.

blue-collar workers

Emphasizes the type of employment associated with manual labor.

workforce

Refers to the group of people engaged in labour.

hired hands

An informal term for employed laborers, typically in agriculture.

construction workers

Specifies the industry in which the labourers are employed.

farmhands

Focuses on agricultural labourers

operatives

A more technical term for workers in a factory or industrial setting.

day laborers

Emphasizes the casual or temporary nature of the labour.

tradespeople

Highlights the skilled nature of certain manual labour jobs.

craftspeople

Focuses on the skill and artistry involved in certain types of labor.

FAQs

How can I use "labourers" in a sentence?

You can use "labourers" to refer to people who do physical work, especially unskilled manual work, for wages. For example, "The construction project required a large number of "labourers" to complete on time."

What are some alternatives to "labourers"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "workers", "manual laborers", "employees", or "workforce".

Is there a difference between "labourers" and "workers"?

While "workers" is a general term for people who work, "labourers" typically refers to those engaged in physical or manual labor. "Labourers" often implies a more physically demanding or less skilled type of work.

When is it appropriate to use "labourers" instead of "employees"?

"Employees" is a broader term that includes all types of workers, while "labourers" specifically refers to individuals engaged in manual labor. Use "labourers" when you want to emphasize the physical nature of the work.