Conscientious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Conscientious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is diligent, careful, and attentive to detail in their work or responsibilities. Example: "She is a conscientious worker who always meets her deadlines and pays attention to the quality of her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was manifesto week, and the conscientious voter will be sitting down today to digest 83 pages from Labour, 82 from the Conservatives, 157 from the Lib Dems, 75 from Ukip, and 84 from the Greens - virtual pages in the Greens' case, because they did not print them out.

The Guardian

Contributions have so far included a letter from the playwright Caryl Churchill, who also takes the theme of conscientious objection, and one from the former poet laureate, Sir Andrew Motion, wondering whether the soldier has just written rather than received his letter.

The Guardian

Remember when I told you that I was going to declare myself a conscientious objector?

The Guardian

There are many different Twitters – black Twitter, feminist Twitter, media Twitter, Weird Twitter – with their own personalities and vocabularies and traditions and arguments, and a conscientious user could and should listen carefully to each before participating.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Everything will be conscientious, there will be a friendly atmosphere," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the terribly low value universities appear to place on their GTAs, undergraduates receive high quality teaching, because we are hardworking and conscientious: we want to do our best for the students.

The Guardian

Since my mother's death I'd been convinced that I would be next and had been very conscientious about checking my breasts regularly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Can he make it – hard, progressive, conscientious, fighting free of the cliches – without losing his grip, dissolving into posture, whitening his stance, giving in to the softening, modifying temptations of post-real iPop fame?

The Guardian - Music

Reading about human experience, from ambulance drivers to conscientious objectors, gives us a great deal of empathy, too.

The Guardian

Although a conscientious member of the Labour party, he never wore its political colours too openly.

The Guardian

The HDP will do away with old taboos: with LBGT rights, gay marriage, conscientious objection and non-Muslim minorities".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's work ethic, use "conscientious" to convey their dedication to thoroughness and accuracy. For example, "a conscientious student" implies they are diligent in their studies.

Common error

While "conscientious" is a positive attribute, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler words like "careful" or "thoughtful" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "conscientious" primarily functions to describe a noun, typically a person, indicating they are careful, diligent, and thorough in their actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. Examples show it modifying nouns like "voter", "worker", and "member", highlighting their dedication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conscientious" is a versatile adjective used to describe someone who is careful, thorough, and diligent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, formal and scientific writing. It is used to highlight positive attributes and convey approval, and can be replaced by synonyms such as "diligent", "meticulous", or "scrupulous" depending on the context. While highly appropriate in most settings, consider using simpler alternatives in very informal conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Diligent

This alternative emphasizes steady and earnest effort.

Meticulous

This alternative suggests extreme care and precision in handling details.

Scrupulous

This term focuses on being careful and principled, especially regarding morals or ethics.

Painstaking

This highlights the effort and care taken to avoid errors.

Thorough

This emphasizes completeness and attention to all aspects of a task.

Assiduous

This suggests persistent effort and attention to tasks.

Careful

Implies thoughtfulness and vigilance in one's actions.

Attentive

Focuses on being observant and responsive to needs or requirements.

Vigilant

Emphasizes watchfulness and alertness to potential issues.

Dedicated

This showcases commitment and devotion to a task or purpose.

FAQs

How to use "conscientious" in a sentence?

You can use "conscientious" to describe someone who is diligent and careful. For example, "She is a "conscientious employee" who always completes her tasks on time."

What can I say instead of "conscientious"?

You can use alternatives like "diligent", "meticulous", or "scrupulous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "conscientious" or "conscious"?

"Conscientious" refers to being careful and thorough, while "conscious" means being aware. For example, a "conscientious worker" is diligent, while a "conscious patient" is awake and aware.

What's the difference between "conscientious" and "responsible"?

"Conscientious" emphasizes carefulness and thoroughness in performing tasks, while "responsible" focuses on accountability and fulfilling obligations. A person can be both "responsible and conscientious", but they highlight different aspects of their character.