less labour intensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less labour intensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process or task that requires less physical or mental effort compared to another. Example: "The new software update has made the data entry process less labour intensive, allowing employees to focus on more strategic tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Other printing employees followed them when new, less labour intensive, print plants were set up.

The Guardian

Thus, the key to reducing prophylactic insecticide applications may lie with improved, less labour intensive methods of pollen beetle monitoring.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

As the training database grows in size, the approach should make soil classification cheaper, faster and less labour intensive.

Advanced Engineering Informatics

"We're thinking aloud instead of the traditional way - getting a bunch of people in a room, making a decision and telling everyone afterwards". Are messageboards less labour intensive?

The Guardian

But technological changes have made the industry less labour intensive.

BBC

The maintenance of already functioning digitalized production and services is much less labour intensive.

European Journal of Futures Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Computers make this work less labour-intensive.

The Economist

For a less labour-intensive version, I sometimes replace the béchamel with crème fraîche.

Independent

Besides, sophisticated manufacturing tends to be less labour-intensive, reducing the appeal of low-wage countries.

The Economist

That is less surprising, since with better technology manufacturing is becoming ever less labour-intensive.

The Economist

MAE was found to be a more efficient, faster and less labour-intensive method than ultrasonic extraction.

Organic Geochemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing improvements or new methods, use "less labour intensive" to highlight the reduction in manual work required, emphasizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Common error

While "less labour intensive" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repetitively in the same text. Vary your language with synonyms like "more automated" or "more efficient" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less labour intensive" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a reduction in the amount of manual work or human effort required. It describes a quality or characteristic of a process, method, or technology, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less labour intensive" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something requiring reduced manual effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjective phrase and appears frequently in science, news, and formal business contexts. When writing, remember that American English spells it as "less labor intensive." While effective, avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms like "more efficient" or "more automated" to maintain reader interest. The consistent usage across authoritative sources reinforces its reliability and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less work intensive

Replaces "labour" with "work", a more general term for effort or task.

less manpower intensive

Substitutes "labour" with "manpower", emphasizing the reduction in human workforce.

less effortful

Uses a single adjective to describe the reduced need for exertion.

more automated

Focuses on the increase in automation that leads to less manual work.

less hands-on

Emphasizes a reduction in direct physical involvement.

streamlined

Highlights the efficiency and simplification of a process, reducing the need for extensive labour.

more efficient

Focuses on the improved efficiency that results in less labour needed.

simplified

Highlights the reduced complexity that makes a process less labour intensive.

requires fewer personnel

Specifies that a task needs a smaller number of staff.

low-effort

Uses a hyphenated adjective to describe something requiring minimal exertion.

FAQs

How can I use "less labour intensive" in a sentence?

You can use "less labour intensive" to describe a process, method, or technology that requires fewer manual resources or effort. For example: "The new software made the process "less labour intensive"".

What are some alternatives to saying "less labour intensive"?

Alternatives include "more efficient", "more automated", "less hands-on", or "simplified". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less labor intensive"?

Yes, "less labor intensive" (with a 'labor') is the American English spelling, while "less labour intensive" (with a 'labour') is the British English spelling. Both are correct, depending on the regional context.

What's the difference between "less labour intensive" and "more cost-effective"?

"Less labour intensive" refers specifically to the reduction in manual effort or workforce needed. "More cost-effective"more cost-effective is a broader term that considers all costs, including labour, materials, and other resources. A process can be less labour intensive but not necessarily more cost-effective if other costs increase significantly.