- Are you unsure whether to use “work” or “labor” when describing a difficult task?
- Do you know the specific phrases doctors use when a woman is giving birth?
- Have you ever wondered why “manual labor” sounds natural, but “hand labor” sounds strange?
Mastering Labor Collocations is a vital step toward achieving natural English fluency. In English, words don’t live in isolation; they live in “word partnerships.” By learning which words naturally sit next to “labor,” you reduce your mental translation time, lower your language anxiety, and sound more like a native speaker in both professional and medical contexts.
The Complete Guide to Labor Collocations
Essential Collocations using LABOR as a Noun
In modern English, the noun “labor” (spelled “labour” in British English) primarily refers to physical work, the workforce as a whole, or the process of childbirth. Understanding these three distinct contexts is key to accuracy.
1. Physical and Manual Work
These collocations describe the intensity or type of physical effort involved.
- Manual labor: Physical work done by hand.
Example: Many students take up manual labor jobs during the summer to pay for tuition. - Hard labor: Heavy physical work, often used in a legal or historical context.
Example: The prisoner was sentenced to five years of hard labor. - Cheap labor: Workers who are paid very low wages.
Example: Some corporations move their factories overseas in search of cheap labor. - Back-breaking labor: Extremely tiring physical work.
Example: Harvesting crops by hand is back-breaking labor.
2. Economics and the Workforce
These are high-frequency terms used in business, news, and academic writing.
- Labor market: The supply of people available to work in relation to the jobs available.
Example: The labor market is currently very competitive for tech workers. - Labor costs: The amount of money a company spends on paying its employees.
Example: High labor costs can reduce a small business’s profit margins. - Labor union: An organization that protects the rights of workers.
Example: The labor union is negotiating for better health insurance. - Labor shortage: A situation where there are not enough workers to fill available jobs.
Example: The hospitality industry is facing a severe labor shortage this year. - Division of labor: The way a process is split into different tasks for different people.
Example: A clear division of labor makes the assembly line more efficient.
3. Medical and Childbirth
In a medical context, labor refers specifically to the process of giving birth.
- Go into labor: The start of the birthing process.
Example: She went into labor three weeks earlier than her due date. - Induced labor: When doctors use medicine to start the birthing process.
Example: Because of health complications, the doctor recommended induced labor. - Active labor: The stage of childbirth where contractions become more intense.
Example: Once she reached active labor, the nurses moved her to the delivery room. - Preterm labor: Giving birth before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Example: Bed rest is often prescribed to prevent preterm labor.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Manual labor | Adjective + Noun | Work done with hands/body. |
| Labor market | Noun + Noun | The job market/employment scene. |
| Go into labor | Verb Phrase | Starting the process of childbirth. |
| Labor over (something) | Phrasal Verb | To spend a lot of time/effort on a task. |
| Labor costs | Noun + Noun | Wages and benefits paid to workers. |
| Cheap labor | Adjective + Noun | Inexpensive workers/employees. |
Common Collocations with LABOR as a Verb
As a verb, “labor” is less common than the noun, but it is essential for formal writing and describing intense effort.
1. Working with Difficulty
- Labor over: To spend a lot of time and effort doing something difficult or detailed.
Example: The artist labored over the painting for six months. - Labor under (a delusion/misconception): To believe something that is not true.
Example: You are laboring under the delusion that this project will be easy. - Labor to (do something): To try very hard to achieve something despite difficulties.
Example: The engine labored to pull the heavy trailer up the steep hill.
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I did hard labor at the office. | I worked hard at the office. (Hard labor is usually for physical/prison work). |
| She started her labor. | She went into labor. |
| The price of labor. | Labor costs. |
| Hand labor. | Manual labor. |
Putting it into Context
“The manager was concerned about the rising labor costs within the manufacturing department. He realized that the team was laboring over outdated machinery, which made their manual labor much less efficient. After consulting with the labor union, the company decided to invest in automation to help ease the labor shortage and improve the overall division of labor in the factory.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Labor Collocations
What is the difference between “labor” and “labour”?
The only difference is the dialect. “Labor” is the standard American English (US) spelling, while “labour” is the standard British English (UK), Canadian, and Australian spelling. The collocations and meanings remain exactly the same.
Is “hard labor” the same as “working hard”?
No. “Working hard” is a general term for putting in effort. “Hard labor” is a specific collocation usually referring to heavy physical work, historically used as a form of punishment for criminals.
Can I use “labor” for office work?
Generally, no. We usually use “work” for office tasks. “Labor” implies significant physical exertion or is used in economic terms like “labor market.” However, you can say you are “laboring over a report” if you want to emphasize that it is taking a huge amount of mental effort.
What does “labor of love” mean?
This is a common idiom meaning a task that is difficult or takes a long time, but you do it because you enjoy it or care about it, not for the money.
Which preposition goes with “labor” in childbirth?
We say a person is “in labor.” For example, “She has been in labor for twelve hours.” We do not say “at labor” or “on labor.”
This post really helped me understand why 'skilled labor' is a common phrase in recruitment. Thanks, Translateen team!
You're very welcome, Omar! 'Skilled labor' vs. 'unskilled labor' is a very important distinction in the professional world.
In Russian, we have many words for work, but 'labor' feels very formal in English. Is it used in daily conversation much?
Wait, so if I'm talking about the 'Labor Party' in politics, does that mean the party of manual workers?
Exactly, Lucas! Historically, Labor (or Labour) parties were formed to represent the interests of the working class and trade unions.
Could you clarify the difference between 'labor' and 'toil'? I saw 'toil' in a book and it seemed similar.
The example of 'manual labor' for students is very relatable. I did a lot of manual labor last summer at a farm!
That's a perfect use of the term, Jin! Working on a farm is a classic example of manual labor.
I am writing a paper on economics. Is 'labor market' the correct collocation for the supply and demand of workers?
Is 'Labor Day' celebrated in the UK too? Or is it just a US thing?
Good question, Pavel! The US and Canada celebrate 'Labor Day' in September. The UK and many other countries celebrate 'International Workers' Day' or 'May Day' on May 1st instead.
What about the adjective 'laborious'? Is it related to these collocations?
Does 'cheap labor' have a negative connotation? I see it a lot in articles about globalization.
It can be sensitive, Santi. While it's an economic term, it often implies that workers are not being paid fairly. In a professional setting, people sometimes prefer 'low-cost workforce' to sound more neutral.
I appreciate the distinction between 'labor' and 'work.' It's these small nuances that help me feel more confident during my business meetings.