conspicuous toil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conspicuous toil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe work or effort that is clearly visible or easily noticeable, often implying that it is significant or demanding. Example: "The artist's conspicuous toil was evident in the intricate details of the sculpture, showcasing hours of dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Conspicuous toil is the new watchword.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not conspicuous?

The New York Times

Parents toil, children suffer.

The New York Times

Human sweat and toil.

Independent

Wheel, toil: what difference?

The New Yorker

They made India toil.

The New York Times

Locally conspicuous.

University of California, Berkeley

Too conspicuous.

The New York Times

Conspicuous consumption is out.

The Economist

Stubble, stubble, toil and bubble?

The Economist

Many toil through the night.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conspicuous toil" to emphasize that the effort or labor involved is not only hard but also easily noticeable by others. This is particularly effective when you want to highlight dedication or the extent of someone's commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "conspicuous toil" when you simply mean hard work. The term carries a connotation of the work being deliberately displayed or easily visible, so it's not appropriate if the effort is unseen or understated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conspicuous toil" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "conspicuous" modifies the noun "toil". As noted by Ludwig AI, it's used to describe work or effort that is clearly visible or easily noticeable. It emphasizes the apparent nature of the labor involved.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

29%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conspicuous toil" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe effort that is easily noticeable. While relatively rare, it appears in news, academic, and other sources. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase accurately describes visible or apparent hard work. Related phrases include "obvious labor" and "noticeable effort". Use this phrase when you want to highlight not just the effort itself but also its visibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious labor

Focuses on the clarity and ease of perceiving the work.

noticeable effort

Highlights the fact that the effort is easily observed.

evident exertion

Emphasizes the visible strain or effort involved.

marked industry

Stresses the diligence and hard work that is apparent.

patent labor

Similar to 'obvious labor' but implies a more formal or legalistic context.

visible work

A simpler way to express that the work is easily seen.

demonstrable effort

Highlights that the effort can be proven or shown.

clear endeavor

Focuses on the clarity and determination of the undertaking.

pronounced activity

Emphasizes the intensity or degree of the work being done.

overt exertion

Emphasizes the open and unconcealed nature of the effort.

FAQs

How can I use "conspicuous toil" in a sentence?

You can use "conspicuous toil" to describe work or effort that is clearly visible or easily noticeable. For example: "The artist's "conspicuous toil" was evident in the intricate details of the sculpture, showcasing hours of dedication."

What's a good alternative to "conspicuous toil"?

Alternatives include "obvious labor", "noticeable effort", or "evident exertion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "conspicuous toil" a common phrase in everyday English?

While grammatically correct, "conspicuous toil" isn't frequently used in everyday conversation. It's more likely to appear in formal writing or contexts where emphasizing the visibility of effort is important.

What does "conspicuous" really mean in the context of "conspicuous toil"?

In this context, "conspicuous" means easily noticeable or attracting attention. Therefore, "conspicuous toil" suggests that the hard work is not only being done but is also readily apparent to observers.