working on the land

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working on the land" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe activities related to agriculture, farming, or land management. Example: "After years of city life, she decided to pursue her passion for agriculture by working on the land."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

She was abducted one morning, with many others, while working on the land.

Independent

I have been working on the land.

The New York Times

Families working on the land broke off together to eat in the fields.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Millet spent his youth working on the land, but by the age of 19 he was studying art in Cherbourg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He added a personal touch by stressing his experience of working on the land as a "sent-down youth".

The Guardian

He then took to working on the land – just 19 acres – and was terribly disillusioned today to see that Tolstoy writes one thing but lives in luxury".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Our team is still in Islamabad working on the land-route issue," the State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, said in Washington.

The New York Times

I intend to connect people to organizations that are working on the ground, fighting land-grabbing and deforestation in Cambodia.

Huffington Post

'My great-grandparents had worked on the land,' he says.

The Guardian - Sport

It's safe, at last, to work on the land.

The New Yorker

Most Indians work on the land, or in what is euphemistically called "the unorganised service sector".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "working on the land" to emphasize the physical and practical aspects of agriculture, rather than just the business or economic side.

Common error

While "working on the land" is a valid phrase, it can sound somewhat archaic or overly romantic in modern contexts. Consider using more specific terms like "farming", "cultivating", or "land management" when describing contemporary agricultural practices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working on the land" functions as a gerund phrase, typically acting as a noun within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It can serve as a subject, object, or complement, describing the activity of engaging in agriculture or land management. For example, "She enjoys working on the land." Here the phrase acts as a direct object.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working on the land" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression referring to agricultural labor or land management. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias and science. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider more specific alternatives like "farming the land" or "land management" in modern or formal settings. Remember, "working on the land" evokes a connection to nature and a traditional way of life, making it a valuable phrase for specific descriptive purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

farming the land

This alternative uses a more concise verb to describe the act of cultivating land for agricultural purposes.

cultivating the soil

This phrase emphasizes the activity of preparing and using soil for growing crops.

tilling the earth

This option evokes a more traditional or even poetic sense of working the land.

laboring in agriculture

This formal alternative emphasizes the labor aspect of working on the land, highlighting the effort involved in agricultural work.

engaging in agricultural work

This phrase presents a broader perspective, encompassing any type of occupation related to agriculture

being a farmer

This version identifies the person by their profession

managing farmland

This alternative focuses more on the management aspects, like planning, organizing and operating a farm

involved in land management

This is a more formal and administrative way to describe handling the land

toiling on the farm

This phrase creates an emotional connection by indicating the hard labor required to work on a farm.

making a living from agriculture

This alternative focuses on the economic aspect of farming.

FAQs

What does "working on the land" mean?

The phrase "working on the land" generally refers to engaging in agricultural activities, such as farming, cultivation, or land management. It implies physical labor and a direct involvement with the soil and crops.

What can I say instead of "working on the land"?

You can use alternatives like "farming the land", "cultivating the soil", or "land management", depending on the specific context.

Is "working on the land" formal or informal?

The phrase "working on the land" is relatively neutral in tone. While not overly formal, it's also not strictly informal. It can be used in a variety of contexts, but more specific terms might be preferred in highly formal or technical writing.

How can I use "working on the land" in a sentence?

You might say, "His family had been "working on the land" for generations" or "She found fulfillment in "working on the land" and growing her own food."