a painstaking description

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a painstaking description" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a detailed and thorough account of something, emphasizing the effort taken to provide that detail. Example: "The author provided a painstaking description of the historical events, ensuring that every detail was accurately captured."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Friedrich gives a painstaking description of the way the concept of 'moral bombing' came into being.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

His painstaking description of soil-sampling shows the delicate logic of even the humblest inquiry.

The Economist

Even his painstaking description of the "18 distinct operations" of pin making was probably cribbed from Diderot's encyclopedia.

The Economist

In its painstaking description of thought's leaps and tics and swerves ("Also smoke in the dark they say get no pleasure"), "Ulysses" often comes rather close to life's actual tedium; since the heyday of modernism few major novelists have sought to emulate that book's exhaustive treatment of the ordinary mind at work.

The New Yorker

Harris, whose previous novels include "Pompeii" and the World War II thriller "Enigma," doesn't take the path of many other writers of historical fiction and provide copious, painstaking descriptions of meals, wardrobes, palaces and the like to summon a long-ago, far-away past.

The New York Times - Books

However, by virtue of Diamond's painstaking descriptions of traditional life itself, The World before Yesterday really warms the cockles.

The Guardian - Books

On the one hand, Bowen's books are stuffed with the furniture of Victorian realism -- with painstaking descriptions of rooms and their contents, down to the wallpaper, the curtains and the clocks.

The New York Times - Books

The poem is a detailed description of several objects, including a photo album and the camera that took the pictures in it, and is essentially about the nostalgia that the speaker, presumably Gibson himself, feels towards the details of his family's history: the painstaking descriptions of the houses they lived in, the cars they drove, and even their pets.

Wikipedia

It is a painstaking process.

The New York Times

But it is a painstaking process.

The New York Times

It was a painstaking task.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a painstaking description", ensure that the subsequent details genuinely reflect the effort implied by the phrase. Don't use it lightly; reserve it for situations where the detail is truly significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a painstaking description" when a simpler term like "detailed explanation" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a painstaking description" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "painstaking" modifies the noun "description". It emphasizes the effort and meticulousness involved in creating the description. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a painstaking description" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that emphasizes the thoroughness and care involved in creating a description. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability in various contexts. While it can be used in a variety of settings, it is especially suitable for formal, professional or journalistic contexts where the level of detail is significant. Related phrases like "a meticulous depiction" or "a thorough account" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for cases where the level of detail truly warrants the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a painstaking account

Uses the synonym "account" for "description".

a careful depiction

Replaces "painstaking" with "careful", emphasizing the attention to detail.

a meticulous depiction

Emphasizes the precision and thoroughness of the description.

a thorough account

Focuses on the completeness and comprehensiveness of the description.

a detailed portrayal

Highlights the level of detail and representation in the description.

an exhaustive explanation

Stresses the complete and all-encompassing nature of the explanation.

a laborious detailing

Highlights the effort and labor involved in creating the description.

an elaborate exposition

Emphasizes the complexity and thoroughness of the explanation.

a precise characterization

Focuses on accuracy and exactness in the description.

a scrupulous explication

Stresses the moral rigor and attention to detail of the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "a painstaking description" in a sentence?

You can use "a painstaking description" to emphasize the thoroughness and attention to detail in an account. For example: "The historian provided "a painstaking description" of the battle, covering every aspect of the event".

What are some alternatives to "a painstaking description"?

Alternatives include "a meticulous depiction", "a thorough account", or "a detailed portrayal", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a painstaking description"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight the effort and care taken to provide a comprehensive and detailed explanation. Use it when the level of detail is particularly significant or noteworthy.

What's the difference between "a painstaking description" and "a detailed description"?

"A painstaking description" implies a greater level of effort and thoroughness than "a detailed description". While both suggest a high level of detail, "painstaking" emphasizes the care and effort involved in creating the description.