a painstaking effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a painstaking effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or work that requires a lot of careful and detailed effort. Example: "The team put in a painstaking effort to ensure that every detail of the project was perfect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Prosecutors described a painstaking effort to amass enough evidence for conspiracy charges.

The New York Times

It is all part of a painstaking effort to trace where the cow and five or more of its calves have lived.

The New York Times

Afghanistan is involved in a painstaking effort to reform its penal code, and as part of that one committee is tasked with handling sharia law.

The Guardian

Mr. Moi, who had been vice president under Jomo Kenyatta, began a painstaking effort to groom the son for higher office.

The New York Times

Staying calm seems to be a valuable quality for animation, which remains a painstaking effort even though computers now do much of the grunt work.

The New York Times

School officials are now contacting banks for copies of cancelled checks in a painstaking effort to retrace the path of the missing millions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

To make one sweep of color or to say those six words, Mr. Engel, 45, must execute a painstaking feat of physical effort and mental concentration.

The New York Times

I found that it took a lot of painstaking effort to get the audio clips right where I wanted them.

The New York Times - Tech

Despite a year of painstaking effort by trade officials to resolve differences between the organisation's members on the main business of the round agricultural tariffs and subsidies, and non-farm tariffs there were still plenty of gaps to be bridged.

The Economist

After decades of painstaking effort, a team of scientists has purified a protein that stars in multiple cell dramas, from embryonic development to cancer.

Science Magazine

It was earned by year after year and decade after decade of painstaking effort; a commitment to fundamental values; his belief that the American people were hungry for the truth, unvarnished and unaccompanied by theatre or spectacle".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a painstaking effort" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness, care, and attention to detail involved in a task or process. It is especially effective when highlighting a process that requires significant time and dedication.

Common error

Avoid using "a painstaking effort" to describe tasks that are merely difficult or time-consuming, but do not require a high level of precision or attention to detail. The phrase is best reserved for situations where accuracy and meticulousness are paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a painstaking effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "painstaking" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "effort". It describes the quality or characteristic of the effort being made. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a painstaking effort" is a commonly used phrase to describe a task or process characterized by great care, thoroughness, and attention to detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and usability in English. It finds frequent use in news, media, scientific, and formal business contexts. The phrase effectively communicates the dedication and precision involved in an undertaking, and while alternatives such as "a meticulous endeavor" or "a thorough undertaking" can be used, "a painstaking effort" remains a strong and widely recognized choice for conveying this specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a meticulous endeavor

Emphasizes precision and attention to detail.

a thorough undertaking

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the task.

a diligent attempt

Focuses on the consistent and earnest nature of the effort.

a conscientious approach

Stresses the careful and principled manner in which the task is handled.

an elaborate procedure

Highlights the complexity and detailed nature of the process.

a scrupulous exercise

Implies a high level of moral or ethical rigor in the execution.

an exacting process

Emphasizes the stringent requirements and high standards involved.

a rigorous investigation

Highlights the thorough and demanding nature of the inquiry.

a laborious task

Emphasizes the difficulty and strenuousness of the work.

a demanding assignment

Focuses on the challenging and exacting nature of the undertaking.

FAQs

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

You can use "a painstaking effort" to describe a task requiring meticulous attention and care. For example, "The archaeologists made "a painstaking effort" to unearth the ancient artifacts."

What are some alternatives to "a painstaking effort"?

Alternatives include "a meticulous endeavor", "a thorough undertaking", or "a diligent attempt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a painstakingly effort"?

No, the correct phrasing is "a painstaking effort". "Painstaking" functions as an adjective describing the "effort". The adverb "painstakingly" would not fit in this construction.

When is it most appropriate to use the term "a painstaking effort"?

It's best to use "a painstaking effort" when you want to emphasize the meticulous and thorough nature of the work, particularly when it requires significant time, dedication, and attention to detail.