very hard work

USAGE SUMMARY

"very hard work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to an activity that requires tremendous effort. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest is very hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Politics is very hard work.

The Guardian - Sport

Very hard work".

The Guardian - Sport

"Writing short stories is very hard work".

The New York Times - Books

Gardening is very, very, very hard work.

The New York Times - Books

It is very hard work.

The New York Times

And it's not very hard work".

The New York Times

It's very hard work without a doubt.

The Guardian

But he's becoming very hard work.

The New Yorker

Survived 18 years of very hard work.

The New York Times

And, truly, it's work — very, very hard work.

The New Yorker

"What we do here is very hard work," he explains.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very hard work" when you want to emphasize the significant effort and dedication required for a task. It is suitable for describing both physical and mental labor.

Common error

While "very hard work" is acceptable, avoid overusing "very" with other adjectives in the same sentence. Instead, consider using stronger, more descriptive adjectives to convey the intensity of the effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very hard work" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a task or activity requiring significant effort and dedication. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's often used to emphasize the intensity of the effort involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very hard work" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe activities that demand significant effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to emphasize the intensity of the labor involved. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for a wide range of communication. While alternatives exist to add nuance, "very hard work" effectively conveys the concept of substantial effort and commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensely demanding task

Highlights the high level of demands placed on the individual.

taxing activity

Highlights the draining effect on one's resources or energy.

extremely challenging endeavor

Emphasizes the difficulty and demanding nature of the task.

arduous undertaking

Stresses the prolonged and taxing nature of the task.

laborious process

Emphasizes the time-consuming and detailed nature of the work.

strenuous labor

Focuses on the physical exertion required.

backbreaking effort

Highlights the physically exhausting aspect of the work.

grueling grind

Conveys a sense of relentless and exhausting work.

tough slog

Implies a difficult and persistent effort over a long period.

major undertaking

Focuses on scope and ambition rather than difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "very hard work" in a sentence?

You can use "very hard work" to describe tasks requiring significant effort, such as "Climbing that mountain was "very hard work"" or "Achieving this goal required "very hard work" and dedication".

What are some alternatives to "very hard work"?

Alternatives include "challenging endeavor", "demanding task", or "strenuous labor", depending on the specific context and aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "very hard work" formal or informal?

"Very hard work" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from more precise or sophisticated vocabulary.

What's the difference between "hard work" and "very hard work"?

"Very hard work" simply intensifies the degree of effort required compared to just "hard work", indicating a more substantial and demanding undertaking.