long working week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long working week" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a week in which one has worked many hours or has had a particularly demanding schedule. Example: "After a long working week, I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The long working week combined with insufficient childcare during working hours seems to have negatively influenced the professional motivation to continue to work as a female doctor.

BMJ Open

When the 10-hour day became the norm (still a long working week when you consider people worked on Saturdays too), demands for a further reduction were common.

The Guardian - Opinion

The long working week has been one of the grievances prompting teachers to go on strike.

BBC

It was the end of a long working week.

The Guardian

Various research finds that a long working week increases the risk of a stroke, stress and mental illness.

The Guardian - Money

Her long working week brings home 80 Cuban pesos, or $4. Above the national average, but not enough to feed her family of three teenage children.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

His longest working week was 90 hours, but he found time to keep his fitness levels up.

The Guardian - Sport

However, when commuting is factored in, New Yorkers do have the longest working week of any city in the United States.

Forbes

It had been one very long work week, and I went back to sleep.

The New York Times

A Friday night date can be a great way to end a long work week.

BBC

I was ready to go home and sleep because it had been a long work week.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a "long working week", be specific about the consequences, such as stress, reduced productivity, or health issues. This provides a clearer and more impactful message.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a "long working week" is bad. Instead, explain why it's detrimental. For example, specify how it affects work-life balance, mental health, or overall well-being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long working week" functions as a noun phrase, where 'long' modifies 'working week'. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct, describing a work period exceeding standard hours.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long working week" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe a work schedule that extends beyond the standard 40 hours. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its primary function is to depict an extended work period, often implying potential negative impacts such as stress or reduced work-life balance. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and formal business settings. While it's a straightforward and acceptable phrase, consider using more descriptive alternatives like "extended work schedule" or "demanding work week" for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended work schedule

Focuses on the schedule aspect, highlighting that the work period is prolonged.

demanding work week

Emphasizes the intensity and effort required during the work week.

grueling work week

Highlights the exhausting and physically/mentally taxing nature of the work week.

intensive work week

Focuses on the concentrated effort and activity during the work week.

protracted work week

Indicates that the work week is longer than usual or expected.

excessive work hours

Highlights the extended duration of work, often implying it's beyond a reasonable limit.

onerous work week

Emphasizes the burdensome and oppressive nature of the work week.

lengthy work period

Focuses on the extended duration of the work period, suitable for describing a continuous stretch of work.

time-consuming work week

Highlights how much time the work week consumes, impacting other activities.

busy work schedule

Describes a schedule filled with activities and tasks, indicating a high level of engagement.

FAQs

What are the effects of a long working week?

A "long working week" can lead to increased stress, burnout, reduced productivity, and negative impacts on physical and mental health. It can also affect work-life balance and personal relationships.

Which jobs typically involve a long working week?

Jobs in fields like medicine, law, finance, and technology often involve a "long working week". Additionally, entrepreneurs and those in leadership positions may also experience longer hours.

What is considered a "long working week"?

While the standard work week is typically 40 hours, a "long working week" generally refers to anything significantly exceeding that, often 50 hours or more.

What can I say instead of "long working week"?

You can use alternatives like "extended work schedule", "demanding work week", or "intensive work week" depending on the context.