an intricate work

USAGE SUMMARY

"an intricate work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something complex or detailed. For example: "The old castle was an intricate work of engineering and artistry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

St. Christopher, made in 1493, is an intricate work that shows him carrying Jesus on his shoulders across a silver river.

The New York Times - Arts

Long and involved, it's a game best approached like a multi-season TV series (each "case" takes around ten hours to solve), one that builds into an intricate work of contemporary young-adult fiction with a clear yet unobtrusive moral message.

The New Yorker

Considering that a staged opera production typically involves hundreds of people - five or six principal singers, 40 more in the chorus, 80 players in the orchestra, dozens of staff and technicians, most of whom have trained all their lives to perform such an intricate work of art – those low prices seem more than a bargain.

The Guardian - Music

The latest draft, an intricate work of diplomatic filigree, preserves the United States' prerogative to attack if Iraq fails to comply with the United Nations inspections and also allows for the second round of Council decision-making that France sought, diplomats said.

The New York Times

A series of chalk, Conté and charcoal drawings evolved into an intricate work formed of three circus rings, each filled with fabricated objects made from a huge array of materials: wood, metals, glass, canvas, concrete, much of it found or recycled.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Meanwhile, English composer Harrison Birtwistle created The Mask of Orpheus (first performed 1986; libretto by Peter Zinovieff), a massive, intricate work with masked characters played by multiple singers and mimes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My guess is that Bach would have found it easier to improvise a new prelude and fugue in A flat than to play this intricate work from memory.

The New York Times - Arts

A hypnotic attraction seems to have inspired Tóibín's extensive, misty, and intricate work of reconstruction, a marvel of lightly worn research and modulated tone.

The New Yorker

Vendors such as GE, McKesson, Siemens, Cerner, Meditech and IDX are creating smart systems that smoothly combine the intricate work flows of a typical hospital.

Forbes

Though there are visibly people in the room controlling the situation using software, it's incredible to see a team of robots performing such intricate work flawlessly.

Vice

The result is "a shining jewel" and "an intricate, multifaceted work," Amanda Foreman wrote here last year.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an intricate work" when you want to emphasize the complexity and attention to detail that went into creating something, whether it's a physical object, a system, or an artistic piece.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid relying on "an intricate work" too frequently in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "complex creation", "detailed piece", or "elaborate project" to keep your writing fresh and engaging.

Linguistic Context

An intricate work primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'intricate' is an adjective modifying the noun 'work'. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showing its role in describing something complex and detailed. The phrase serves to characterize the subject as having many interconnected parts or elements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

30%

Books

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an intricate work" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for describing something complex and detailed. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and suitable for formal and informal contexts although the register skews towards more formal and professional use. While not exceptionally common, it appears in respected publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using the phrase, consider its precise meaning and whether synonyms like "a complex creation" or "a detailed piece" might be more appropriate, and avoid overusing it. Using this phrase well can add depth and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complex creation

Replaces 'intricate' with 'complex' and 'work' with 'creation', emphasizing the complexity of the result.

a detailed piece

Substitutes 'intricate' with 'detailed' and 'work' with 'piece', highlighting the level of detail involved.

an elaborate project

Uses 'elaborate' instead of 'intricate' and 'project' in place of 'work', focusing on the extensiveness of the undertaking.

a sophisticated endeavor

Replaces 'intricate' with 'sophisticated' and 'work' with 'endeavor', emphasizing the high level of skill involved.

a painstaking effort

Changes 'intricate' to 'painstaking' and 'work' to 'effort', highlighting the care and diligence required.

a finely crafted item

Uses 'finely crafted' in place of 'intricate' and 'item' instead of 'work', stressing the quality of the craftsmanship.

a masterful composition

Replaces 'intricate' with 'masterful' and 'work' with 'composition', emphasizing the skill and artistry involved.

a complicated undertaking

Substitutes 'intricate' with 'complicated' and 'work' with 'undertaking', highlighting the complexity of the task.

a subtle design

Replaces 'intricate' with 'subtle' and 'work' with 'design', focusing on the understated yet complex nature of the creation.

an involved process

Changes 'intricate' to 'involved' and 'work' to 'process', emphasizing the complexity and depth of the procedure.

FAQs

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

You can use "an intricate work" to describe something that is complex and detailed, such as, "The clock was an intricate work of engineering." or "The novel was an intricate work of storytelling."

What are some alternatives to "an intricate work"?

Some alternatives include "a complex creation", "a detailed piece", or "an elaborate project", depending on the specific context.

Is "an intricate work" formal or informal?

"An intricate work" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in formal or neutral writing where precision and detail are valued.

Can "an intricate work" apply to abstract concepts?

Yes, "an intricate work" can be used to describe abstract concepts like a legal agreement or a philosophical argument, as well as physical objects or artistic creations.