rough jobs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough jobs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to tasks or work that are physically demanding, unpleasant, or require a lot of effort. Example: "Many people are willing to take on rough jobs to support their families, even if the work is challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"They've had it rough, jobs are precarious and debts are outrageous".

The New York Times

When Sloan was 5, in 1879, his mother died and his father fostered him out to another family, but he was soon a boy vagabond and tried a lot of rough jobs before he became a stablehand at 14.

The New York Times - Books

After a rough jobs report last week, investors will focus on the weekly jobless claims report out at 8 30 a.m.

Forbes

These are rough jobs, so while they're all good, honest guys who work in slaughterhouses, they kill things for a living.

Vice

These are rough jobs, so while they're all good, honest lads who work in abattoirs, they kill things for a living.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Asked whether Mr. Paterson could continue to govern, Mr. Rangel responded: "It's a rough job".

The New York Times

Most of us do a rough job satisfaction calculation every day.

The Guardian - Opinion

But many men would confirm that it's a rough job for anyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

He cites a desire among men to improve their appearance, perhaps to gain a competitive advantage over younger colleagues in "a rough job market".

The New York Times

Combine that with the rough job market that young adults find themselves in now and baby boomers being much more comfortable with debt, she said, and the result is "a phenomenon".

The New York Times

Young adults have long faced a rough job market, but in the last recession and its aftermath, college graduates did not lose nearly as much ground as their less-educated peers, according to a new study.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "rough jobs", be specific about what makes them challenging, such as physical demands, emotional toll, or dangerous conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "rough jobs" as a blanket term. Instead, specify the exact nature of the work involved to provide a clearer and more accurate description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough jobs" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "rough" modifies the noun "jobs". It describes the character or quality of the jobs being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms this with multiple examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

25%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough jobs" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned expression used to describe physically demanding, dangerous, or unpleasant occupations. Ludwig AI validates its common use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While semantically similar alternatives like "tough assignments" or "demanding occupations" exist, "rough jobs" specifically highlights the physical challenges of the work. It's important to use this phrase with specificity, detailing the exact nature of the challenges involved rather than overgeneralizing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tough assignments

This alternative focuses on the difficulty level of the tasks.

demanding occupations

This phrase emphasizes the high requirements of the jobs.

arduous tasks

This highlights the effort and energy required.

strenuous work

Focuses on the physically taxing nature of the work.

challenging positions

Highlights the difficult aspects of the job roles.

laborious employment

This alternative emphasizes the amount of labor involved.

taxing careers

This emphasizes the mental and physical strain caused by the jobs.

difficult roles

Focuses on the complexity and problems presented by the jobs.

unpleasant duties

Highlights the undesirable nature of the tasks.

grueling labor

This emphasizes the exhausting and severe nature of the work.

FAQs

What are some examples of "rough jobs"?

"Rough jobs" can include occupations like construction work, mining, slaughterhouse work, or any physically demanding or dangerous labor.

What can I say instead of "rough jobs"?

You can use alternatives like "tough assignments", "demanding occupations", or "arduous tasks" depending on the context.

How does the phrase "rough jobs" differ from "difficult jobs"?

"Rough jobs" often implies physical challenges and harsh conditions, while "difficult jobs" can refer to tasks that are mentally or intellectually challenging. "Rough jobs" emphasizes the physical aspect, whereas "difficult jobs" is broader.

Are "rough jobs" always low-paying?

Not necessarily. While some "rough jobs" may be low-paying, others, especially those requiring specialized skills or involving significant risks, can be well-compensated.