work force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work force" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the people employed in an organization or who do a certain type of work. Example Sentence: The company has been making cuts to its work force in order to reduce costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The work force was".

The New York Times - Sports

"That's not today's work force".

The New York Times

China's relatively cheap work force.

The New York Times

Women entered the work force.

The New York Times

It could shrink its work force.

The New York Times

But as a work force, we should.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a ready-made work force.

The New York Times

By dropping out of the work force.

The New York Times

The work force is really diverse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They must shift their focus from work-force reduction to work-force retention.

The New York Times

"You could support the work force".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the size or composition of the "work force", be specific with numbers or demographics to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Don't use "work force" as a vague term. Instead of saying 'The "work force" needs improvement', specify which skills or areas need development, such as 'The "work force" needs more training in data analytics'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work force" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes the body of people engaged in work or available for work, as Ludwig examples show in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work force" is a very common noun phrase used to refer to the people engaged in or available for work, a fact supported by the many examples found by Ludwig. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, especially in News & Media. When using "work force", it's important to provide specific context and avoid generic statements to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "staff" or "personnel" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember, providing specific details about the size, demographics, or skills of the "work force" enhances the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Staff

A general term for the people employed in an organization.

Personnel

Refers to the employees of a company or organization.

Labor pool

Focuses on the availability of workers, especially for hiring.

Human resources

Emphasizes the management and development of employees.

Working population

Refers to the segment of the population that is employed or seeking employment.

Employee base

Highlights the total number of employees a company has.

Collective workforce

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of a group of workers.

Employed individuals

Focuses on the status of being employed.

Team members

Highlights collaboration and contribution of individuals in a work setting.

Employed talent

Emphasizes the abilities and skills within the employee group.

FAQs

How can I use "work force" in a sentence?

You can use "work force" to refer to the group of people who work for a specific company, industry, or country. For example, 'The company is expanding its "work force" to meet increasing demand'.

What are some alternatives to "work force"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "staff", "personnel", or "labor pool".

Is "work force" one word or two?

"Work force" is two words. The single-word version, "workforce", is also acceptable and commonly used as an alternative form.

What does "work force" diversity mean?

"Work force" diversity refers to the inclusion of individuals from various backgrounds, including different ethnicities, genders, ages, and abilities, within a company's "staff".