What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
toil
Example
The workers toiled in the fields all day under the hot sun. [toiled: verb]
Example
She toiled away at her desk, trying to finish the project before the deadline. [toiled: past tense]
labor
Example
He has been laboring in the factory for over a decade. [laboring: present participle]
Example
The construction workers labored hard to finish the building on time. [labored: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Labor is more commonly used than toil in everyday language. Labor is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while toil is less common and is often used in literary or poetic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between toil and labor?
Both toil and labor can be used in formal and informal contexts, but labor is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
