a painstaking task

USAGE SUMMARY

"a painstaking task" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a task or activity that requires a great amount of effort, attention to detail, and patience. Example: Writing a 10-page research paper in just one night was a painstaking task, but the end result was worth the effort.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was a painstaking task.

The Guardian - Music

It's usually a painstaking task unpicking the problems.

The Guardian

Preparing the vast collection for the public was a painstaking task.

The New York Times

This is a painstaking task undertaken carefully and diligently over five years.

The Guardian - Business

The purpose, they told him, was to rid the machines of every bit of dirt, a painstaking task that often includes blowing air into the tiniest nooks and crevices.

The New York Times

And integrating the system is a painstaking task of removing physical and regulatory barriers.In this section South by south-east An African journey Under pressure from all sides More pain, less gain The once and future leader?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"It's a long and painstaking task".

The New York Times

From computers to telecommunication services, from insurance to professional services, the process of identifying vendors and comparing quots proved to be a long and painstaking task.

Forbes

Producing high-quality links is a difficult and painstaking task, attributing the high-price attached to the work that has to be put into obtaining them.

Huffington Post

Cleaning of the entire matrix is not only a difficult and painstaking task, but also weakens the specimens and makes them vulnerable to breakage.

Plosone

Inviting two reporters along to the closed-door meeting, Mr. Wright also played host during a studio tour that revealed the sometimes painstaking task of making Hollywood magic: On the set of the comedy picture "Evan Almighty," about two dozen people tried to film a live rabbit against a blue screen to help stock a scene in which the full complement of passengers on Noah's ark make an appearance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task, consider using "a painstaking task" to clearly communicate the high level of detail, effort, and patience required.

Common error

While effective, avoid overuse of "a painstaking task" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "laborious undertaking" or "meticulous endeavor" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a painstaking task" functions as a noun phrase where "painstaking" modifies the noun "task". It describes the quality or nature of the task, indicating that it requires careful attention and effort, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a painstaking task" is a commonly used phrase to describe an activity that demands significant effort, detail, and patience. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, its function is to emphasize the meticulous and challenging nature of the work. When using this phrase, remember to balance its descriptive power with other alternatives to avoid repetition. The frequency of "a painstaking task" is common, making it suitable for various writing styles, maintaining clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a laborious undertaking

Replaces "task" with "undertaking" and "painstaking" with "laborious", focusing on the effort required.

a meticulous endeavor

Substitutes "task" with "endeavor" and "painstaking" with "meticulous", highlighting the need for precision.

a demanding assignment

Replaces "task" with "assignment" and "painstaking" with "demanding", emphasizing the difficulty.

a grueling process

Changes "task" to "process" and "painstaking" to "grueling", focusing on the exhausting nature of the activity.

an exacting operation

Uses "operation" instead of "task" and "exacting" in place of "painstaking", indicating the need for accuracy.

a challenging activity

Replaces "task" with "activity" and "painstaking" with "challenging", highlighting the difficulty and stimulation.

a thorough job

Switches "task" to "job" and "painstaking" to "thorough", focusing on the completeness required.

a detailed project

Changes "task" to "project" and "painstaking" to "detailed", emphasizing the level of specificity involved.

an elaborate procedure

Uses "procedure" instead of "task" and "elaborate" instead of "painstaking", focusing on complexity.

a complex undertaking

Replaces "task" with "undertaking" and "painstaking" with "complex", emphasizing the multifaceted nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a painstaking task" to describe any activity that requires significant attention to detail and effort. For example, "Restoring the old painting was a painstaking task." or "Proofreading a book can be a painstaking task".

What are some synonyms for "a painstaking task"?

Alternatives include "meticulous endeavor", "laborious undertaking", or "demanding assignment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "painstaking task" or "difficult task"?

"Painstaking task" emphasizes the detail-oriented and time-consuming nature of the task, while "difficult task" simply highlights the challenge it presents. Choose the phrase that best reflects the specific characteristics of the task.

What makes "a painstaking task" different from "a simple task"?

A "painstaking task" involves careful attention to detail and requires significant patience and effort, whereas a "simple task" is straightforward and easy to accomplish. The key difference lies in the complexity and effort involved.