lousy labor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lousy labor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe work that is of poor quality or unsatisfactory in some way. Example: "The project suffered due to the lousy labor provided by the subcontractors, resulting in numerous delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"But you leave a lousy labor market because you can afford to do so, and in a jobless recovery that has persisted for so long, many blacks don't have the savings to make a go of it without a paycheck".

The New York Times

The company is either the salvation of country folk or the slayer of small towns; newly devoted to sustainability or the one with a lousy labor record; a major purveyor of guns or frequently the first company on the spot with post-disaster relief; a monument to cheap, unthinking consumerism or a way to make comforts affordable to many people.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now of course to many liberals this just strengthens the case for Obamacare: Here you have hundreds of thousands people working jobs they hate and would love to quit just to have some medical security, when our society is rich enough that they shouldn't have to work a lousy, low-wage, labor-intensive 9-5 (or worse) just to have health insurance within their reach.

The New York Times

And the labor market has been lousy for a long time.

The New Yorker

Steinbeck takes on the dangerous and divisive issue of fair and decent labor; he is unafraid to talk about lousy wages and the abuse of workers or to extol the virtues of unions and strikes.

The New York Times

Part of the reason fewer people are participating in the labor force is that the baby boomers are hitting retirement, but another part is that the economy is lousy.

Huffington Post

"It's lousy, lousy, lousy," Pucher said.

The New York Times

"Lousy prom".

The New York Times

Lousy orphans.

The New Yorker

Lousy house".

The Guardian

Lousy ending.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lousy labor", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspects of the labor are unsatisfactory, such as quality, skill, or efficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "lousy labor" without specifying why the labor is considered poor. Provide specific examples or details to support your claim, enhancing clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lousy labor" is to act as a noun phrase. "Lousy" modifies the noun "labor", describing its poor quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase for describing unsatisfactory work.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lousy labor" is a grammatically sound and usable term to describe work of poor quality, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its frequency is rare, appearing mainly in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys dissatisfaction with the quality or performance of labor. When using "lousy labor", providing specific details about the deficiencies enhances clarity. More formal alternatives such as "poor workmanship" or "shoddy labor" may be preferable in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor workmanship

Focuses on the quality of the work itself, emphasizing its substandard nature.

shoddy labor

Highlights the inferior quality and carelessness of the labor involved.

substandard work

Emphasizes that the work does not meet the required or expected standards.

deficient labor

Focuses on the lack of necessary skills or effort in the labor provided.

inferior labor

Indicates that the labor is of a lower grade or quality compared to what is expected.

inadequate manpower

Shifts the focus to the insufficiency of the workforce in terms of numbers or competence.

unskilled workforce

Highlights the lack of skills and expertise within the labor force.

inefficient labor

Points out the lack of productivity and effectiveness in the labor process.

unproductive work

Focuses on the lack of output or results from the work being performed.

bungled job

Implies that the work was done poorly and with many mistakes.

FAQs

How can I use "lousy labor" in a sentence?

You can use "lousy labor" to describe situations where the quality of work is poor or unsatisfactory. For example, "The project suffered due to the "lousy labor" provided by the subcontractors."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "lousy labor"?

Alternatives include phrases like "poor workmanship", "shoddy labor", or "substandard work", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

When is it appropriate to use the term "lousy labor"?

The term "lousy labor" is appropriate when describing work that is noticeably deficient in quality, skill, or effort. It's often used in contexts where there are clear expectations of quality that are not being met.

Is "lousy labor" a formal or informal term?

"Lousy labor" leans toward the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "deficient labor" or "inadequate manpower" for a more professional tone.