ordinary workers

USAGE SUMMARY

'ordinary workers' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to workers that are not highly trained, experienced, or skilled. For example: "Many of the tasks involved in the project are within reach of ordinary workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, they materially improved the lives of ordinary workers.

The New Yorker

The disparity is even greater for ordinary workers.

The New York Times

The industry has run ads featuring ordinary workers talking up the wonders of the oil sands.

The Economist

But he did so in ways that often hurt ordinary workers.

The New York Times

As for ordinary workers — they are just part of the supply chain.

The New York Times

The predators at the top, billionaires and millionaires, are pitting ordinary workers against one another.

The New York Times

Opinion polls suggest that Americans have become increasingly convinced that globalisation harms ordinary workers.

The Economist

The ordinary workers accepted the new status of the soldier-queens.

The New Yorker

He quotes extensively from letters and diaries of ordinary workers writing home to their families.

The Economist

Millions of ordinary workers in the capital on work healthcare schemes use them too.

Independent

And by demonising private equity, he risks damaging the prospects of ordinary workers, including union members.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinary workers" to contrast with management or executive roles, emphasizing the different experiences and perspectives within an organization.

Common error

Be specific about the skills, industries, or demographics you're discussing instead of making broad assumptions about all "ordinary workers". Stereotyping can lead to inaccurate and insensitive communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary workers" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "ordinary" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "workers". It serves to identify a specific group of individuals within a workforce, differentiating them from those in management or specialized roles. Ludwig AI indicates this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ordinary workers" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the general workforce, distinguishing them from management or specialized personnel. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, highlighting its role in discussing economic trends, social issues, and workplace dynamics. While "ordinary workers" is generally acceptable, it's important to avoid generalizations and stereotypes. Alternatives such as "average employees" or "rank-and-file employees" can provide nuanced ways to convey similar meanings depending on the specific context. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively use "ordinary workers" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Average employees

Replaces "workers" with "employees" emphasizing their status within a company and "ordinary" with "average" indicating a lack of exceptional qualities or characteristics.

Typical laborers

Substitutes "workers" with "laborers" highlighting the physical or manual aspect of their work and "ordinary" with "typical" emphasizing commonality.

Common workforce

Replaces "workers" with "workforce" focusing on the group of people engaged in work and "ordinary" with "common" stressing their shared characteristics.

Rank-and-file employees

Uses the term "rank-and-file" to denote the main body of an organization, excluding leadership or management.

Everyday working people

Emphasizes the daily aspect of their work life and their status as "people" rather than just "workers".

General workforce

Focuses on the entire group of workers, with "general" implying a broad category without specific skills or expertise.

Average working class

Focuses on the socio-economic status of the "workers" and their status as average members of that socio-economic group.

Blue-collar workers

Specifically refers to workers who perform manual labor, often in industries like manufacturing or construction.

Working stiffs

An informal term for workers, implying a sense of hard work and routine.

The working Joe

Replaces "workers" with "Joe", an informal and generic word referring to a man, implying the sense of everyman.

FAQs

How can I use "ordinary workers" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinary workers" to refer to the general workforce or employees who are not in management or executive positions. For example, "The company's success depends on the dedication of its "ordinary workers"".

What's a good alternative to "ordinary workers"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "average employees", "rank-and-file employees", or "common workforce" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "ordinary workers" in formal writing?

Yes, "ordinary workers" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, consider your audience and the specific context. More formal alternatives might include "general workforce" or "average employees".

What is the difference between "ordinary workers" and "laborers"?

"Ordinary workers" is a broader term that can include various types of employees, while "laborers" specifically refers to those engaged in manual or physical work. If you want to emphasize the physical aspect of work, "typical laborers" might be more appropriate.