lug

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lug" is correct and usable in written English.
It is both a noun and a verb, with the noun meaning a heavy or burdensome load, and the verb meaning to pull or carry something with effort or difficulty. Example sentence: We had to lug our heavy backpacks through the entire airport.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fine for the odd visit, but an experience you can get at out-of-town "shopping centre" festivals such as Reading or Leeds without having to lug all your stuff three thousand miles from the car.

The Guardian - Opinion

The buildings often come complete with mock-marble effects, in an attempt to overcome the fact that the stone was too cumbersome to lug over the Andes in the 18th century.

The Guardian - Travel

Under the irritated gaze of the affected homeowner, I lug them back, one by one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such lateral thinkers have a different set of talents from the norm: an understanding of the forces of technological change, an intuitive feel for innovation, and the leadership skills to lug a whole company down a new track on a mere hunch.Rarely are these skills found in the tight-ship sort of manager.

The Economist

Sobbing exiles lug suitcases round the shrines, as Farsi again echoes through the mosques.

The Economist

German building workers stick rigidly to their craft skills; a carpenter is not supposed to lug sacks of cement, and the electrician will not help the plumber.

The Economist

Today's soldiers lug around 100 lbs (45 kg), including communications equipment, limiting both speed and performance.

The Economist

Cars and light trucks on American roads today are 30% heavier than they were in the mid-1980s. mid-1980s.ly, heavier vehicles need beefier engines to lUnfortunatelya girtheavierd.

The Economist

Mazda, for example, has come up with ways to reduce the mass of the lug nuts on the wheels of some new models.

The Economist

In May 2012 the bosses of many of Britain's independent record labels will get up early, fill thermos flasks with tea and lug crates of vinyl records to Berwick Street, in central London.

The Economist

Some hybrids fare even worse than conventional vehicles on steady runs, because of the extra dead weight they have to lug around.Like the Toyota system, GM's two-mode drive is a "strong" hybrid.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lug", emphasize the heaviness or difficulty of the item being carried to create a more vivid image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "lug" in formal writing where a more neutral term like "carry" or "transport" would be more appropriate. "Lug" often carries a connotation of effort and inconvenience that may not be suitable for all situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "lug" functions primarily as a verb, describing the action of carrying something heavy or cumbersome with difficulty. It can also function as a noun, referring to something that is being carried with effort, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

8%

Independent

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "lug" is a versatile term, functioning as both a verb and a noun, primarily used to describe the act of carrying something heavy or with considerable effort. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and more common in informal contexts like News & Media. While "lug" effectively conveys the sense of burden, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "carry" or "transport" in professional or academic writing. Ludwig's examples highlight its descriptive power, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for expressing physical exertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

haul

Similar to "lug", but often implies pulling something heavy over a distance.

schlep

Implies a tedious or burdensome carrying task, often over a long distance.

carry

This is a more general term for transporting something, lacking the connotation of heaviness or difficulty.

bear

A more formal way of saying to carry, often implying a burden.

drag

Suggests pulling something along the ground with effort.

tote

Often used for carrying items in a bag or container.

cart

Involves transporting something using a wheeled vehicle.

transport

A formal way to move something from one place to another without necessarily implying difficulty.

ferry

Implies transporting something across a body of water or a short distance repeatedly.

move

A general term for changing the location of something.

FAQs

How can I use "lug" in a sentence?

You can use "lug" to describe carrying something heavy or cumbersome, such as, "I had to lug my suitcase up three flights of stairs".

What's a good alternative to "lug"?

Depending on the context, you could use "carry", "haul", or "drag" as alternatives to "lug".

Is "lug" a formal or informal word?

"Lug" is generally considered to be an informal word. In more formal contexts, it's better to use words like "transport" or "convey".

What is the difference between "lug" and "carry"?

"Carry" is a general term for transporting something. "Lug" implies that the item being carried is heavy or difficult to handle. You might "carry" a book, but you would "lug" a heavy box.