manual laborer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manual laborer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who performs physical work, often involving the use of hands and physical effort, typically in jobs such as construction, agriculture, or manufacturing. Example: "The company is looking to hire a manual laborer to assist with the construction of the new building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her father, a manual laborer, shoveled coal and gravel.

The New York Times

A young, burly man in work boots — manual laborer?

The New York Times

He is a bayakou, a manual laborer who….

The New Yorker

His father, an immigrant from a small town in northern Italy, was a manual laborer.

The New York Times - Books

Ms. Kunwar, a manual laborer, now lives in a small room with her three children.

The New York Times

It costs more to produce the physicist than it costs to produce the manual laborer.

Yale University

At the time of the beating, he was a manual laborer at Dodger Stadium and was on parole from prison.

The Washington Post

But I knew that I did not want to become a manual laborer in an industry that didn't pay.

The New York Times - Arts

Lovell got a job as a manual laborer, and married Donna-Mae, a dull girl with extremely beautiful hair.

The New Yorker

A manual laborer in the garment industry his entire adult life, he is now watching businesses die all around him.

The New York Times

For a manual laborer in the Middle East, this represents as much as a decade's salary in one shot.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's profession, use "manual laborer" to clearly indicate that their job involves physical work. It's especially useful when contrasting it with intellectual or managerial roles.

Common error

Don't assume someone's intelligence or work ethic based solely on their occupation as a "manual laborer". Skills and competence vary greatly regardless of job type.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manual laborer" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a person engaged in physical work, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "manual laborer" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe someone who performs physical work. As noted by Ludwig, it is acceptable in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While widely used, it's important to be mindful of potential socio-economic biases and avoid generalizations. Alternatives like "blue-collar worker" or "physical worker" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. According to Ludwig's analysis, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with science and academic sources also using the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blue-collar worker

This term is a more general and widely understood substitute, encompassing a broader range of occupations.

unskilled worker

Emphasizes the lack of specialized training required for the job.

physical worker

Highlights the physical aspect of the job.

laboring man

A more old-fashioned, slightly poetic term for a worker.

tradesman

Suggests work involving a specific craft or trade.

worker in the trades

A longer way to express the same concept tradesman, with a strong emphasis on the plural.

factory worker

Specifies a worker in a manufacturing setting.

construction worker

Specifies a worker employed at building construction sites.

farmhand

Refers to a worker on a farm, especially in agriculture.

day laborer

Suggests a worker hired on a daily basis for temporary work.

FAQs

How do I use "manual laborer" in a sentence?

You can use "manual laborer" to describe someone whose job requires physical work, such as "He worked as a "manual laborer" in the construction industry".

What are some alternatives to "manual laborer"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "blue-collar worker", "physical worker", or "unskilled worker".

Is it appropriate to use "manual laborer" in formal writing?

Yes, "manual laborer" is generally acceptable in formal writing, particularly when you need a clear and direct term for someone who performs physical labor. However, consider "blue-collar worker" as a more general term.

What is the difference between "manual laborer" and "laborer"?

"Laborer" is a broader term that includes anyone who performs labor, while "manual laborer" specifically refers to someone who performs physical work, differentiating it from other types of labor like intellectual work.