a marathon work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marathon work" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "a marathon of work"? You can use the corrected phrase when describing a long and arduous task or project that requires significant effort and time. Example: "Completing the report was a marathon of work, taking several weeks to finish."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I think it played on my mind when I was sending the tweets, sometimes you have those nights, and it was a marathon work session on the phone as well, where afterwards you fall straight asleep or lie there thinking.

Independent

Every semester I hear students bragging about how they stayed up for three days straight, how their hands are numb from drawing for so long, etc. Doing a marathon work session the night before the deadline is the worst move you can make.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But for all of its swirling melodies, grand gestures and intensity (of a nonthreatening sort), it was difficult to get a handle on this marathon work.

The New York Times - Arts

I have always charged headlong through my life, sprinting a marathon of work and children and relationships.

Huffington Post

That story sums up the dysfunction all of us are facing today - 'help isn't coming.' We are not being asked to run a marathon at work today.

Huffington Post

His marathon work hours are legendary.

The New York Times

Ms. Marcus said she was also attracted to Mr. Turetsky's mind and passion for science and teaching, and impressed by his marathon work sessions.

The New York Times

WORTHIEST HART TROPHY CONTENDER Not Sidney Crosby or Steven Stamkos or Toews, but Scot L. Beckenbaugh, the federal mediator whose marathon work in January put the league and the players' association in the same room and paved the way to a lockout settlement.

The New York Times

On Day 1 of an unprecedented arm-poking marathon, working on the grand total of two hours' sleep, Rollins exited the Olympic speedskating oval in this suburban neighborhood of boxy one-story homes, Mormon churches and snow-covered athletic fields, trying to hold the figurative line as his drug-testing program took its maiden run down a sensitive and slippery slope.

The New York Times - Sports

"He had the strength of a marathon runner; to work on his film for so many years and sometimes without money, then you have a goal".

The Guardian - Film

The dance component includes choreography by Kraig Patterson and Christina Suarez (tonight); Ellis Wood and Richard Rivera (tomorrow) and a marathon program of work by all the residents (next Sunday).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "a marathon work", consider using "a marathon of work" or alternatives like "extensive project" or "prolonged undertaking" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "marathon" directly as an adjective modifying "work". While "marathon" can describe endurance activities, it's better to rephrase to something like "a marathon of work" or choose a more descriptive adjective such as "extensive" or "lengthy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marathon work" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to describe a task or project. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI, which suggests using "a marathon of work" instead to properly convey the intended meaning of a long and arduous task.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a marathon work" aims to describe a long and arduous task, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "a marathon of work" or clearer alternatives like "extensive project" or "prolonged undertaking". The phrase appears rarely, primarily in news and media contexts. For clarity and correctness, especially in formal settings, it's best to opt for more conventional phrasing. The limited usage and grammatical concerns contribute to a lower expert rating for this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marathon of work

Replaces the adjective with a prepositional phrase, clarifying the noun's relation to "marathon".

an extensive work

Focuses on the breadth and scope of the work involved.

a prolonged undertaking

Emphasizes the duration and commitment required.

a lengthy project

Highlights the extended timeframe of the project.

a demanding endeavor

Focuses on the challenging nature of the work.

a strenuous task

Highlights the effort and energy required.

a sustained effort

Emphasizes the continuous application of energy and resources.

an exhaustive study

Highlights the thoroughness and detail involved.

a comprehensive analysis

Focuses on the broad scope and depth of the analysis.

a full-scale operation

Indicates a large and complex undertaking.

FAQs

Is "a marathon work" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "a marathon work" is not considered grammatically correct. It is better to say "a marathon of work" or use alternatives like "extensive project" or "lengthy task".

What does "a marathon of work" mean?

The phrase "a marathon of work" describes a task or project that is long, arduous, and requires sustained effort, similar to running a marathon.

How can I use "a marathon of work" in a sentence?

You can use "a marathon of work" to describe a demanding task. For example: "Completing the report was "a marathon of work", taking several weeks to finish."

What are some alternatives to "a marathon of work"?

Alternatives to "a marathon of work" include "extensive project", "lengthy task", or "prolonged undertaking". These phrases convey the idea of a long and demanding effort.