40-hour working week vs 40-hours working week

The correct phrase is '40-hour working week'. The first phrase is correct because '40-hour' is used as an adjective to describe the working week, and in this case, 'hour' is singular. The second phrase is incorrect because 'hours' should not be pluralized when used in this context.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 905 views

40-hour working week

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to describe a standard work week consisting of 40 hours of work.

Examples:

I have a 40-hour working week.
The company offers a 40-hour working week to its employees.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'll be working 40 hours a week, making U$ 17,50 for hour.
Why am I spending 40 hours a week working for Milton?
I spent... 40 years working 80 hours a week, and what do I got to show for it?
The current working week is around 40 hours, with the large majority of workers wanting an even shorter working week.
A normal working week of 40 hours is in reality 40.7 hours.
The working week consists of 37,5 hours.
The United Kingdom is authorized to submit this information in equivalent working weeks.
Currently in the UK, we enjoy an opt-out from the 48-hour working week.
This applies especially to enforcement of the 48-hour average working week.
The total accumulated driving time during any two consecutive working weeks shall not exceed 80 hours.
All studies clearly show that long working weeks are harmful to both safety and health.
Firstly, the maximum working week should not exceed 48 hours, including overtime.
Thirdly, the reference period for calculating the average working week should continue to be four months.
First, the derogations regarding reference periods and how the maximum working week is calculated.
The 48-hour working week is a very old aspiration.
Work must therefore be shared, the working week reduced.
With their six-figure salaries and their 70-hour working weeks.
I'm working week nights at club San Pedro...
In the slightly longer term our aim should be a 30-hour working week, and our aim now should be a working week of 35 hours.
Price collection shall take place across at least a one working week period at, or near, the middle of the calendar month to which the index pertains.

40-hours working week

This phrase is incorrect in English.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'll be working 40 hours a week, making U$ 17,50 for hour.
Why am I spending 40 hours a week working for Milton?
I spent... 40 years working 80 hours a week, and what do I got to show for it?
The current working week is around 40 hours, with the large majority of workers wanting an even shorter working week.
A normal working week of 40 hours is in reality 40.7 hours.
The working week consists of 37,5 hours.
The United Kingdom is authorized to submit this information in equivalent working weeks.
Currently in the UK, we enjoy an opt-out from the 48-hour working week.
This applies especially to enforcement of the 48-hour average working week.
The total accumulated driving time during any two consecutive working weeks shall not exceed 80 hours.
All studies clearly show that long working weeks are harmful to both safety and health.
Firstly, the maximum working week should not exceed 48 hours, including overtime.
Thirdly, the reference period for calculating the average working week should continue to be four months.
First, the derogations regarding reference periods and how the maximum working week is calculated.
The 48-hour working week is a very old aspiration.
Work must therefore be shared, the working week reduced.
With their six-figure salaries and their 70-hour working weeks.
I'm working week nights at club San Pedro...
In the slightly longer term our aim should be a 30-hour working week, and our aim now should be a working week of 35 hours.
Price collection shall take place across at least a one working week period at, or near, the middle of the calendar month to which the index pertains.

Alternatives:

40-hour working week
standard 40-hour work week
40-hour work schedule
40-hour workweek
40-hour week

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40-hour working week vs 40-hours working week