put in long hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"put in long hours" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe working more than the usual amount of hours due to a hectic workload or other demands. For example, "I've been putting in long hours at the office this week to meet the deadline for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He continued to put in long hours.

Harvard Business Review

Do you put in long hours?

The Guardian

As is, I put in long hours.

The New York Times

He put in long hours to build up the business.

The Economist

People worked hard and they put in long hours.

The New York Times

We knew how to work independently and sacrifice social opportunities to put in long hours working.

Princeton University

Teachers put in long hours and are masters of their material.

The New York Times

Classmates agreed that Butina put in long hours at the library working on assignments.

The Washington Post

On weekends, they would put in long hours at a recording studio.

The New York Times

La Guardia seemed to put in long hours of work and gave few parties.

The New Yorker

A typical Wall Streeter, she routinely put in long hours selling bonds to mutual funds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dedication and hard work, using "put in long hours" is effective. However, consider the specific context. For instance, use more descriptive alternatives if you want to emphasize the dedication (dedicate many hours) or the difficulties (toil long and hard).

Common error

While "put in long hours" is a valid and common phrase, overusing it can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or describing the specific tasks being performed during those hours to provide a richer context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put in long hours" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of spending a significant amount of time working. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples from Ludwig show it describing effort and dedication in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put in long hours" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe dedicating significant time to work or other endeavors. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. Analysis reveals it's most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's versatile enough for various professional settings. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives like "dedicate many hours" or "work extended shifts" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work extended shifts

This alternative directly refers to the duration of work periods, emphasizing the extended nature of the shifts.

dedicate many hours

This focuses on the dedication and commitment of time to a specific task or job.

spend considerable time working

This highlights the significant amount of time dedicated to work, suitable for broader contexts beyond just employment.

keep late nights at work

This suggests the regularity of working late hours, often due to workload or deadlines.

invest significant time

This suggests that time is being treated as a valuable resource allocated to work.

maintain a demanding schedule

This describes the overall impact of work on one's time, focusing on the intensity and lack of free time.

labor for extended periods

This implies hard work over a long duration, often used in more formal or historical contexts.

toil long and hard

This emphasizes both the length of time and the intensity of effort involved in the work.

burn the midnight oil

This is an idiom that conveys working late into the night, typically studying or working on a project.

work around the clock

This exaggerates the continuous nature of work, implying very little rest or breaks.

FAQs

How can I use "put in long hours" in a sentence?

You can use "put in long hours" to describe working for an extended period, such as: "The team had to "put in long hours" to meet the project deadline." or "Successful entrepreneurs often "put in long hours" during the initial stages of their business."

What are some alternatives to "put in long hours"?

Alternatives include "work extended shifts", "dedicate many hours", or "invest significant time". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "put in long hours" or "worked overtime"?

"Put in long hours" generally refers to spending a significant amount of time working, which may or may not involve exceeding standard working hours. "Worked overtime" specifically means exceeding the standard working hours and is often associated with additional pay.

What does it mean to "burn the midnight oil" instead of "put in long hours"?

"Burn the midnight oil" is an idiomatic expression that means working or studying late into the night. While both phrases suggest working for an extended time, "burn the midnight oil" specifically emphasizes the late hours and is often used in the context of studying or completing urgent tasks.