a monumental work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a monumental work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or impressive piece of art, literature, or any other creative endeavor that has a substantial impact or importance. Example: "The artist's latest painting is considered a monumental work that will be remembered for generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"This is a monumental work.

The New York Times - Arts

We had accomplished a monumental work – separately.

The Guardian - Arts

He aims to transform the crater into a monumental work of art.

The Economist

"We are in front of a monumental work, in itself a pilgrimage," she wrote.

The New York Times

His Paléontologie française, 14 vol. (1840 54), although never completed, is considered a monumental work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However one parses Mr. Glass's history, "Music in 12 Parts" is a monumental work.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

So, incidentally, is a single monumental work by the Taipei painter Yu Peng in a group show at Kaikodo, 164 East 64th Street, through Dec. 3.

The New York Times - Arts

A fourth monumental work, made especially for this show, is "Nails," a white expanse of paper on plaster covered with repetitive gashes made by the artist's fingernails as he clawed at the paper.

The New York Times - Arts

3405 Central Avenue NE, [phone], guildcinema.com Across town from Nob Hill, on the west side in the Open Space Visitors Center, Flyway, a recent addition to the City's acclaimed Public Art Collection, is a stunning, monumental work by New Mexico artist Robert Wilson.

The Guardian - Travel

It is an imposing, monumental work produced in sections; the artist paints on Tyvek sheets, which he then sticks to the wall like wallpaper.

The New York Times

4 Antoine Bourdelle Beethoven (1902) The French sculptor Bourdelle was a student of Rodin so he learned a lot from him, and also did a lot of monumental work.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a monumental work" to describe creations or efforts that are not only large in scale but also have significant cultural, historical, or artistic value. This conveys a sense of importance and lasting impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a monumental work" to describe everyday tasks or minor achievements. This can diminish the phrase's impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a monumental work" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It typically serves to characterize a particular piece of art, literature, architecture, or any other human endeavor as exceptionally significant, large-scale, and impactful. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a monumental work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something of great significance, scale, and impact. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and well-suited for conveying admiration and respect. It's commonly found in news, media, and encyclopedias, emphasizing its usage in authoritative contexts. While synonyms like "a significant achievement" or "a major undertaking" exist, "a monumental work" specifically highlights lasting importance. It's best used to describe truly impressive creations and should be avoided in trivial contexts to maintain its gravitas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a landmark creation

Implies that the work sets a new standard or becomes a point of reference.

an extraordinary feat

Stresses the unusual skill or effort involved.

a supreme achievement

This emphasizes the quality and level of the achievement.

a significant achievement

Focuses more on the accomplishment aspect rather than the sheer size or impressiveness.

a prodigious creation

Emphasizes abundance and impressiveness in its creation.

a grand accomplishment

Similar to "a significant achievement" but with a more celebratory tone.

a major undertaking

Emphasizes the effort and resources required to complete the task.

an ambitious endeavor

Highlights the boldness and scope of the undertaking.

a colossal effort

Emphasizes the immense amount of work involved.

an important project

Highlights the relevance and impact of the work.

FAQs

How can "a monumental work" be used in a sentence?

You can say, "The construction of the Great Pyramid was "a monumental work" of engineering", or "Einstein's theory of relativity is "a monumental work" of scientific thought".

What's a good synonym for "a monumental work"?

Alternatives include "a significant achievement", "a major undertaking", or "a landmark creation", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe a book as "a monumental work"?

Yes, especially if the book is extensive in scope, highly influential, and required considerable effort to produce. For instance, "War and Peace" is often considered "a monumental work" of literature.

What distinguishes "a monumental work" from "a great work"?

"A great work" generally refers to high quality or excellence, while ""a monumental work"" emphasizes the scale, impact, and lasting significance of the creation.