a prodigious work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prodigious work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a piece of work that is remarkably great in size, extent, or degree, often implying impressive skill or effort. Example: "The artist's latest exhibition is a prodigious work that showcases her talent and dedication to her craft."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He kept up a prodigious work rate even when ill.

The Guardian

He is a scorer and playmaker combined, gifted with feathery control of the puck and a prodigious work ethic as well.

Independent

He writes or co-writes a lot of his songs, can claim a string of acting credits and has a prodigious work ethic.

The Guardian - Music

"He had that combination of knowledge and passion, and then a prodigious work ethic," said Peter D. Feaver, a professor of political science at Duke University who worked with Mr. McGurk in the Bush administration.

The New York Times

He had a prodigious work ethic, always trying to write 1,000 words a day, a standard I've only come close to meeting when working to finish books of my own.

The Guardian - Opinion

Istomin had never thought of a career beyond tennis, and he battled back to reach a career-high ranking of 33 three years ago, testimony to an indomitable will and a prodigious work ethic.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

James Beard (1903-85), these days, is known primarily as the name of an award, but the man's prodigious work is a beacon in this era of celebrating the local land, cooking gorgeous ingredients simply enough to allow them to shine.

The New York Times - Food

The "collector" in the title refers to Mr. Selman's prodigious work as a neighborhood fund-raiser.

The New York Times

Having turned bull riding into an international success, Bernard spent his first year and a half atop IndyCar using his prodigious work ethic and showmanship to try to revive a sport whose heyday went out with the Nixon Era.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was an immense thing," he said, "this prodigious work ethic …" These days, Soames works seven days a week, five or six hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Guardian - Business

For much of this game, this was a dominant display by Germany, inspired by Sami Khedira's midfield generalship, Thomas Mueller's prodigious work on the wings and a workrate and ambition that glowed throughout the team.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prodigious work" when you want to emphasize not only the amount of work involved, but also the skill and dedication behind it. For instance, "The author's latest novel is a "prodigious work", showcasing years of research and creativity."

Common error

Avoid using "prodigious" in very informal settings. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation. Opt for simpler words like "huge" or "massive" when speaking with friends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious work" functions as a noun phrase, where "prodigious" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "work". It describes a piece of work that is remarkably great in size, extent, or degree, often implying impressive skill or effort. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prodigious work" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a piece of work that is notably impressive in scale, effort, or skill. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is essential to use it appropriately, considering the formality of the context. Alternatives such as "an immense undertaking" or "a monumental achievement" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Given its evaluative nature, this phrase finds its place in contexts where recognizing significant accomplishment is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an immense undertaking

Replaces "work" with "undertaking" and "prodigious" with "immense", emphasizing the scale of the endeavor.

a monumental achievement

Replaces "work" with "achievement" and "prodigious" with "monumental", focusing on the successful outcome.

an extraordinary piece

Uses "extraordinary" instead of "prodigious", highlighting the exceptional quality of the work.

a remarkable creation

Substitutes "work" with "creation" and "prodigious" with "remarkable", emphasizing the originality and impressiveness.

a Herculean effort

Implies the work required immense strength and effort, like the labors of Hercules.

a considerable accomplishment

Highlights the significance and scale of the achievement.

a significant undertaking

Similar to "an immense undertaking" but uses "significant" to emphasize importance.

an impressive feat

Focuses on the skill and difficulty involved in completing the work.

a magnum opus

Denotes the greatest or most important work of an artist or writer.

a labor of love

Emphasizes the dedication and passion invested in the work, rather than just its size or scope.

FAQs

How can I use "a prodigious work" in a sentence?

You can use "a prodigious work" to describe something that requires great effort and skill. For example: "The construction of the Great Pyramid was "a prodigious work" of engineering."

What can I say instead of "a prodigious work"?

You can use alternatives like "an immense undertaking", "a monumental achievement", or "an extraordinary piece depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "a prodigious work ethic"?

Yes, it's correct. "Prodigious" can modify "work ethic" to emphasize an exceptional level of diligence and dedication. For example: "She has "a prodigious work ethic", consistently exceeding expectations."

What's the difference between "a prodigious work" and "a significant work"?

"A prodigious work" emphasizes the scale, effort, and skill involved, while "a significant work" highlights the importance or impact of the work. They are not always interchangeable.