Public Services and Procurement Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Institutional Links

 

Important notice

Writing Tips has been archived and won’t be updated before it is permanently deleted.

For the most up-to-date content, please consult Writing Tips Plus, which combines content from Writing Tips and The Canadian Style. And don’t forget to update your bookmarks!

Search Canada.ca
To begin your search, go to the alphabetical index below and click on the first letter of the word you are searching for.

labour at, labour for, labour over, labour toward

To labour at or over something implies that the task is difficult.

  • The candidate laboured at writing a humble acceptance speech.
  • Marika laboured all night long over her final essay.

To labour for or toward something emphasizes the goal.

  • Although they were weary, they continued to labour for change.
  • As long as he lives, Juan will labour toward the freedom of his homeland.