toil

USAGE SUMMARY

'toil' is a correct and usable word in written English.
Toil means to work very hard for a long time, often in a difficult, tiring, and unpleasant manner. For example, you can use the sentence: "She was up all night toiling to finish her project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were caterpillars, greedy worms condemned to toil on earth; the chrysalis was our coffin, but the butterfly's miraculous emergence symbolised the possibility of an afterlife, a chance for our souls to ascend to heaven.

The Guardian - Film

After more than 30 years of rather pedestrian toil, this will be remembered as the year that British women's high jumping finally took flight.

The Guardian - Sport

"Workers have given their toil and sweat for the port.

The Guardian

Walter also damages his hand, forcing him to abandon the toil of the harvest for intellectual labour helping Quill to chart the area.

The Guardian - Books

Backbreaking toil earning neither money, status nor security – in Ghana it is clear that you are born a farmer, you don't become one.

The Guardian

Let us imagine for a moment that all goes to plan: the civil servants toil, and the experts redouble and a List of How to Reduce Workload is finally produced.

The Guardian

The perennial property game that either annoys or excites legions every Christmas with its almost endless toil of collecting rent and fighting off the housing inspector, is getting a very blood thirsty spin.

The Guardian - Tech

The female munitions workers showed courage and a readiness to toil that was overlooked during the war, and posters never portrayed the vital contribution they made to Britain's victory.

The Guardian

And unlike pilots at the scene, these remote observers are unaffected by the physical toil of flying a jet or the adrenalin rush of combat.In March Britain's Royal Artillery began buying robotic missiles designed by MBDA, a French company.

The Economist

Imagine, Mr Branfman thought, if that was his own father, the gentle textile sales executive from Great Neck, Long Island, whose toil and sweat and ambition for his sons had been instantly snuffed out by a plane that, in the repeated mantra of the villagers, "didn't stop".He had gone to Laos to teach in his 20s, mostly to avoid the draft for Vietnam.

The Economist

At AstraZeneca's research centre near Boston, scientists toil to find new weapons.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "toil" to emphasize the strenuous and often unpleasant nature of work. It adds a sense of hardship and dedication to the task.

Common error

While "toil" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or business writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "work" or "effort" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "toil" is as both a verb, describing the act of working arduously, and a noun, referring to the labor itself. Ludwig provides examples of both usages, showcasing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Toil" is a versatile word, functioning as both a verb and a noun, to describe arduous labor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "labor" and "hard work" exist, "toil" carries a stronger connotation of difficulty and prolonged effort. When writing, remember to use "toil" to emphasize the strenuous nature of work and avoid overuse in highly formal contexts. It is important to consider the nuance you intend to convey, as this word adds a layer of meaning beyond simple work or effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labor

Focuses on the physical or mental exertion; a more direct synonym.

hard work

Emphasizes the effort and dedication involved.

drudgery

Highlights the tedious and monotonous nature of the work.

exertion

Focuses on the physical or mental effort expended.

struggle

Emphasizes the difficulty and challenges faced during the work.

endeavor

Suggests a serious and determined effort.

industriousness

Highlights the quality of being hardworking and diligent.

application

Stresses the focused and dedicated effort applied to a task.

grit

Focuses on the perseverance and resilience required.

effort

A general term for the energy expended; less intense than "toil".

FAQs

How can I use "toil" in a sentence?

You can use "toil" to describe hard and often unpleasant work, as in "They "toiled" in the fields all day" or "After years of "toil", the project was finally complete".

What are some synonyms for "toil"?

Some synonyms for "toil" include "labor", "hard work", "drudgery", and "exertion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "toil" appropriate for formal writing?

While "toil" is not strictly informal, it often carries a connotation of hardship or difficulty. In some formal contexts, more neutral terms like "work" or "effort" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "toil" and "work"?

"Toil" implies a more strenuous, prolonged, and often unpleasant effort than simply "work". "Work" is a general term, while "toil" emphasizes the difficulty and dedication involved.