toiled for years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "toiled for years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has worked hard and persistently over a long period of time, often in pursuit of a goal or project. Example: "After they toiled for years, their dedication finally paid off when they published their first novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Founders of the ISE toiled for years at the NYSE and the American Stock Exchange.

The Economist

L&H, like SAP, has toiled for years to make the building blocks for its products.

The Economist

The year's other breakthrough performance belonged to Jeremy Renner, who has toiled for years without achieving mainstream success, but shone in The Hurt Locker.

Independent

Badrinath Singh, the father of the victim, who had toiled for years as a porter to educate his daughter, fought his tears outside the courtroom.

The New York Times

She was watching as Don Mattingly toiled for years to keep his team from plunging to the bottom of the standings.

The New York Times

Opening up leadership positions to newbies could undermine their leaders, who have toiled for years (and in some cases, decades) to rise to the top.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

This can come to a painter who toils for years, or to someone who expresses an idea quickly.

The Guardian

"I wasn't going to be one of those people who was going to toil for years at a newspaper".

The New York Times

The Irish will toil for years to service rescue loans that, at Europe's insistence, pay off the bondholders of its defunct banks.

The Economist

Half a dozen teams around the world have been toiling for years to measure Planck's constant to an acceptably low degree of uncertainty.

The New York Times

A national magazine might flaunt an official circulation in the millions, but its writers could toil for years without ever knowing who, if anyone, actually read their work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "toiled for years" to effectively convey the idea of sustained and dedicated effort over a significant period, especially when highlighting the challenges and perseverance involved.

Common error

Avoid using "toiled for years" in situations where the effort was minimal or the timeframe was relatively short. This phrase is best suited for describing prolonged and arduous work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "toiled for years" functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, adding information about the duration and intensity of the work or effort exerted by that subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase describes someone working hard over a long period.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "toiled for years" effectively communicates sustained effort and dedication over a long period. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral register, suitable for describing prolonged and challenging work in various scenarios. Related phrases include "labored for years" and "worked tirelessly for years", each adding nuances to the description. Using "toiled for years" appropriately involves recognizing its emphasis on prolonged and arduous effort, making it unsuitable for trivial or short-term activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labored for years

Emphasizes the physical effort and hard work involved over a long period.

worked tirelessly for years

Highlights the continuous and energetic nature of the work.

dedicated years to

Focuses on the commitment and devotion shown over a long duration.

persevered for years

Stresses the persistence and determination despite challenges.

strived for years

Emphasizes the effort and ambition in trying to achieve something.

invested years in

Highlights the time and resources put into a particular endeavor.

plodded along for years

Suggests a slow and steady, often tedious, progress over time.

endured for years

Implies a long period of suffering or hardship.

slaved away for years

Emphasizes the excessive and often unrewarding nature of the work.

spent years grinding

This alternative suggests working very hard with little or no reward in sight.

FAQs

How can I use "toiled for years" in a sentence?

You can use "toiled for years" to describe someone who has worked hard and persistently over a long period of time. For example, "After they "toiled for years", their dedication finally paid off when they published their first novel."

What phrases are similar to "toiled for years"?

Similar phrases include "labored for years", "worked tirelessly for years", or "dedicated years to", each carrying slightly different connotations of effort and commitment.

Is it appropriate to use "toiled for years" in formal writing?

Yes, "toiled for years" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the prolonged and challenging nature of the work involved. The level of formality depends on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "toiled for years" and "worked for years"?

"Worked for years" simply indicates employment or effort over a long period. "Toiled for years" implies a more strenuous and arduous effort, often against difficult circumstances.