long working day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long working day" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a day during which someone has worked for an extended period, often implying fatigue or a heavy workload. Example: "After a long working day, I just want to relax and unwind at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Ever since his appointment as Chief of Staff, Marshall has put in a phenomenally long working day.

The New Yorker

The imagery is episodic, often erotic, agitated and dark, the sort of stuff that might erupt in the mind late at night after a long working day.

The New York Times

I was so excited that nothing in the world - a long working day, tired eyes, headache - nothing could help me get to sleep.

The Guardian

In the early evening you'll be surrounded by the young professionals who, after a long working day, head out to the city's bars and restaurants to unwind.

The Guardian - Travel

"I came home from a long working day and my wife just handed me the cranky baby and said it was my turn," he recalls.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was, as usual in central London at 6pm or so, crowded and disgusting, full of suspicious smells, exhausted workers, the stale, sour sweat of a long working day.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"The most cruel regime, the longest working day, the most screaming lawlessness," she said of her daily routine, comparing it to "an execution".

Los Angeles Times

"We are demanding such a long work day that we want to create a balance between work and fun," he said.

The New York Times

I find the equivalent of a virtual smoke break to be very therapeutic during a long work day.

TechCrunch

We're talking cioppino at the end of a long work day, waiting for you when you get home.

Huffington Post

Reflect on the end of a long work day; there's an element of decompression required to transition from work to home.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a "long working day", consider using vivid language to convey the associated fatigue or stress.

Common error

Avoid using "long working day" as a direct synonym for "overtime". "Long working day" describes the duration, while "overtime" refers specifically to hours worked beyond the standard work period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long working day" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a day characterized by an extended period of work, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long working day" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a workday that extends for a significant duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is descriptive, often conveying the fatigue or demands associated with such days. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase maintains a generally neutral register, suitable for various communications. While "long working day" effectively conveys the concept, considering alternatives like "extended workday" or "prolonged work hours" may be apt for more formal settings. Remember to distinguish "long working day" from "overtime", as the latter specifically refers to hours worked beyond the standard timeframe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extended workday

Replaces "long" with "extended", focusing on the duration of work.

Prolonged work hours

Emphasizes the extended duration of the working hours.

Lengthy shift

Focuses on the duration of a specific work shift.

Demanding work schedule

Highlights the rigor and time commitment of the work.

Tiring work day

Emphasizes the fatigue resulting from a long day at work.

Arduous work hours

Focuses on the difficulty and length of the working hours.

Exhausting job

Highlights the draining effect of the job rather than just the length of the day.

Back-breaking work

Emphasizes the physically demanding aspect of the work.

Time-consuming employment

Highlights the length of time the employment requires.

Overtime work

Focuses on working beyond regular hours.

FAQs

What's a good way to use "long working day" in a sentence?

You can use "long working day" to describe a feeling after work, like "After a "long working day", I just want to relax" or to express something that happens during a work day such as, "I didn't have time for lunch because it was a "long working day"".

What are some phrases similar to "long working day"?

Alternatives to "long working day" include "extended workday", "prolonged work hours", or "lengthy shift". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "long working day" formal or informal language?

"Long working day" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider "prolonged work hours" for more formal usage.

What's the difference between "long working day" and "overtime"?

"Long working day" simply means the workday was long. "Overtime" refers to working beyond the standard or agreed-upon work hours and usually implies additional compensation.