physical labor

USAGE SUMMARY

"physical labor" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "The physical labor involved in building the fence was much more strenuous than we had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then the actual physical labor commences.

The New York Times

It's physical labor, with no set hours.

The New York Times

But they also did more physical labor.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's a lot of physical labor involved".

The New York Times

Old men do harsh physical labor until they drop.

The New York Times

His calloused hands attest to years of physical labor.

The New York Times

Those too old for physical labor baked pies.

The New York Times

It's a nice mix of challenging thought and physical labor.

The New York Times

She meant that they had not known hard physical labor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Perform physical labor-based tasks on construction sites.

Forbes

This process involves a good deal of physical labor hours of kneeling and bending.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing job requirements, clearly specify the type and amount of "physical labor" involved to set realistic expectations for candidates.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the amount of "physical labor" required for a role. If the job involves minimal physical activity, accurately represent it to avoid misleading potential applicants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "physical labor" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to refer to work that requires bodily strength or effort, typically involving manual tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "physical labor" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase referring to work that requires bodily strength and effort. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used across diverse contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific studies to informal conversations. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While alternative phrases like "manual work" or "bodily exertion" exist, "physical labor" remains a versatile and widely understood term for describing this type of work. Remember to accurately represent the intensity of "physical labor" when describing job requirements to avoid misleading potential applicants.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manual work

Focuses specifically on work done by hand, often implying a lack of automation.

manual labor

A common synonym, emphasizing the hands-on nature of the work.

bodily exertion

Highlights the physical effort and energy expended.

strenuous activity

Emphasizes the demanding and taxing nature of the work.

hands-on work

Highlights the direct involvement and physical interaction with the task.

arduous tasks

Focuses on the difficulty and demanding nature of the work.

labor-intensive tasks

Highlights that a significant amount of human effort is required.

heavy lifting

Implies tasks that require significant strength and effort.

toil

Implies long and exhausting work.

exertion of energy

A more formal way to express the expenditure of physical energy.

FAQs

How to use "physical labor" in a sentence?

You can use "physical labor" to describe work that requires physical strength or effort. For example, "Construction work involves a lot of physical labor" or "The farmer relied on physical labor to harvest the crops".

What can I say instead of "physical labor"?

You can use alternatives like "manual work", "manual labor", or "bodily exertion" depending on the context.

Is "physical labour" also correct?

Yes, "physical labour" is the British English spelling of "physical labor". Both are correct, but "physical labor" is more common in American English.

What is the difference between "physical labor" and "mental labor"?

"Physical labor" refers to work that requires physical strength and effort, while "mental labor" refers to work that requires cognitive skills and intellectual effort. One involves using your body, the other involves using your mind.