an elaborate work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an elaborate work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a piece of art, literature, or any project that is detailed and complex in nature. Example: "The museum showcased an elaborate work of art that captivated all the visitors with its intricate details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But in truth the apartments, like everything else, are a deliberate part of an elaborate work flow.

The New York Times

She has gone from small groups to 19 dancers, from minimal productions to an elaborate work, set to music by Bruckner, Morton Feldman and Ligeti (the musical dramaturgy is by Laurence Equilibey), with striking décor by Olivier Mosset and surrealist-inspired costumes by Walter Van Beirendonck.

The New York Times - Arts

It's not easy to tackle such an elaborate work for a mere handful of performances.

Huffington Post

An elaborate work programme – likely to take two years – is under way to rewrite international tax rules, in order to hinder individual and corporate tax evasion.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Meyer started AlumniFunder last July as an "elaborate work-around," he says after experiencing problems raising money for "the technology spinoff" of his brick-and-mortar, children's brain-training company, Minds-in-Motion.

TechCrunch

Pencil drawing, drawing executed with an instrument composed of graphite enclosed in a wood casing and intended either as a sketch for a more elaborate work in another medium, an exercise in visual expression, or a finished work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among their most elaborate work: a 42-mile bicycle trip through the streets of the seaside resort Brighton and Hove that produced a drawing of a cruise ship, with decks, cabins, an anchor and a flag in the back.

The New York Times - Magazine

I don't use it myself as an ingredient because it involves so much elaborate work.

The Guardian

Our functional annotation method is a valuable tool designed to help the biologist understand the biological links between the genes of a cluster, elaborate working hypotheses and direct future work.

Biochimie

MARINA ABRAMOVIC, the radical performance artist who recently spent seven grueling nights onstage in the rotunda of the Guggenheim, often doing violence to herself, has created an elaborate video work that examines ancient connections between sexuality and folklore.

The New York Times

Seemingly aware that her husband's entire life is an elaborate, semipornographic work of performance art derived from pop images of the American West, Drummond refers to him as Marlboro Man and shamelessly pimps her golden goose, shooting photographs of him wearing 10-gallon hats, propping his cowboy boots on metal gates and squinting grittily into the midday sun.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing creative projects or artistic achievements, use "an elaborate work" to convey the complexity and richness of detail involved.

Common error

Avoid using "an elaborate work" to describe tasks or projects that are relatively simple or straightforward. Reserve it for situations where the complexity is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an elaborate work" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "elaborate" modifies the noun "work". It describes a project, creation, or undertaking that is characterized by its complexity and detail. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0.02%

Reference

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an elaborate work" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a complex and detailed undertaking. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its frequent use in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. Alternatives such as "a complex project" or "a detailed creation" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. When writing, reserve the phrase for truly intricate projects and avoid overuse in simple contexts. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English to describe a piece of art, literature, or any project that is detailed and complex in nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complex project

Replaces 'elaborate' with 'complex' and 'work' with 'project', shifting the focus to the undertaking itself.

a detailed creation

Emphasizes the level of detail involved in the creation.

an intricate design

Highlights the complexity of the design or plan.

a sophisticated endeavor

Focuses on the high level of skill and complexity required.

a painstaking effort

Stresses the care and attention to detail required.

a masterful piece

Highlights the skill and artistry involved.

a grand undertaking

Focuses on the large scale and ambition of the project.

a comprehensive study

Implies a thorough and in-depth exploration of a topic.

a meticulous arrangement

Emphasizes the precision and orderliness of the arrangement.

an involved procedure

Highlights the complexity and number of steps in a process.

FAQs

How can I use "an elaborate work" in a sentence?

You can use "an elaborate work" to describe something complex and detailed. For instance, "The artist created "an elaborate work" featuring hundreds of tiny, hand-painted details".

What are some alternatives to "an elaborate work"?

Alternatives include "a complex project", "a detailed creation", or "an intricate design", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "elaborate work" or "complex work"?

Both are acceptable, but "elaborate work" emphasizes the richness and detail, while "complex work" focuses on the intricacy and difficulty. The best choice depends on the specific aspect you want to highlight.

What makes a project qualify as "an elaborate work"?

A project qualifies as "an elaborate work" when it involves a high degree of complexity, detail, and skill, often requiring significant time and resources to complete.