manpower intensive

USAGE SUMMARY

"manpower intensive" is a valid phrase used in written English.
It typically refers to something that requires a lot of people to be involved or to put forth a great deal of physical effort. For example, "The construction of the dam was a manpower intensive project, requiring countless workers and months of hard labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Apple Stores: Another folly, zero experience in the cutthroat and manpower intensive retail business.

The Guardian - Tech

The two most common ways to test for the virus are both manpower intensive.

The Guardian

Simulation methods are typically used to predict critical rates in reservoirs with complex heterogeneities and boundaries, but they are manpower intensive and prone to errors when large grid blocks are used.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

"The good thing for the communities is this: meth is a horrible drug that decimates the user, and the labs are manpower intensive to destroy," Grellner told VICE News.

Vice

Observational practice-based studies are logistically complex and can be manpower intensive.

BMC Family Practice

Interventions have been shown to improve attendances, but certain methods such as personalised phone or postal reminders are manpower intensive [ 20- 22].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Nothing in the 170-page academy report directly refutes the conclusion of what was by most estimates the most expensive and manpower-intensive criminal investigation in American history.

The New York Times

Coin is manpower-intensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

It urges a shift away from manpower-intensive armoured divisions in favour of the air force, intelligence collection and cyber-warfare.

The Economist

At present it is far too manpower-intensive, more like private banking for the wealthy than retail banking for the middle classes.

The Economist

This system is manpower-intensive and expensive, but it provides France with a better understanding of the sources of Islamist terror within its own population than any other European government.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or industry, use "manpower intensive" to clearly convey the need for a significant human workforce, especially when contrasting it with automation or technology-driven approaches.

Common error

While "manpower intensive" and "labor intensive" are similar, "manpower intensive" specifically refers to human labor, while "labor intensive" can include both human and machine labor. Use "labor intensive" when referring to the general effort required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manpower intensive" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe something that requires a significant amount of human labor or workforce. It helps to highlight the human element in a process or activity. Ludwig AI indicates this is correct English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "manpower intensive" is a grammatically sound and relatively common term used to describe activities or processes that require a significant amount of human labor. Ludwig AI confirms that "manpower intensive" is valid in written English and often appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives such as "labor intensive", it specifically highlights the role of human workforce. Using the phrase effectively involves understanding its nuance and distinguishing it from similar terms, ensuring clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labor intensive

Focuses on the amount of labor required, slightly more common usage.

labor-intensive

Hyphenated form of "labor intensive", maintains the same meaning.

workforce intensive

Highlights the size of the workforce needed.

personnel heavy

Emphasizes a large number of personnel.

human resource intensive

Highlights human resources specifically, less common.

resource intensive

Broader term encompassing all types of resources, not just human labor.

staff heavy

Similar to "personnel heavy", but refers specifically to staff.

requiring significant staffing

Focuses on staffing levels.

requiring a large workforce

More descriptive, less concise.

dependent on manual labor

Emphasizes manual labor over automation.

FAQs

What does "manpower intensive" mean?

The term "manpower intensive" describes a process or activity that requires a large number of workers or a significant amount of human effort. It often contrasts with automated or technology-driven processes.

What's a good alternative to "manpower intensive"?

Alternatives include "labor intensive", "workforce intensive", or "personnel heavy" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "manpower intensive" in a sentence?

You might say, "The construction project was extremely "manpower intensive", requiring hundreds of workers" or "Organic farming is often more "manpower intensive" than conventional agriculture".

Is "manpower intensive" the same as "labor intensive"?

While similar, "manpower intensive" specifically emphasizes human labor, whereas "labor intensive" can refer to both human and machine effort.