costly work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costly work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe work or tasks that require a significant amount of money, resources, or effort to complete. Example: "The renovation of the historic building was costly work, but it was necessary to preserve its architectural integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A more productive and less costly work force can increase corporate profits.

The New York Times

Even his opponents praise the costly work he has done to restore the most celebrated local edifice.

Independent

But short bursts of maintenance are costly: work is planned months in advance and stretches over several evenings.

The Economist

But the project was delayed for several years by more essential and costly work, including repointing the exterior.

The New York Times

Nor are we suggesting that it is inappropriate for external granting agencies to fund such intensive and costly work.

Columbia University

Already, builders have been increasingly using nonunion laborers for projects, and among the sticking points will be what some contractors and owners consider archaic and costly work rules.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Have you, like Stephen, found a costly work-around solution to the chaos Sandy has wrought?

The Guardian

Background context: Back pain is the single most costly work-related injury.

The Spine Journal

Eye damage from high-power lasers can masquerade as genetic eye diseases and lead to costly work-ups, Columbia ophthalmologists find.

Columbia University

Thanks to racial profiling, the Asian patient was spared an uncomfortable and costly work-up -- not to mention the worry that he might have something like Lou Gehrig's disease.

The New York Times - Magazine

Failures to sell included some costly works.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks involving significant expense, consider specifying the type of cost (financial, time, effort) to provide clarity. For instance, instead of just saying "the project was "costly work"", specify "the project was financially "costly work"" or "the project was time-consuming "costly work"".

Common error

While "costly work" is grammatically sound, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "expensive" or "difficult" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costly work" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or implied noun. It's used to characterize the nature of the work itself, emphasizing its high cost in terms of money, time, or effort. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, this usage is both grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "costly work" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes tasks or projects requiring significant resources. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and applicable across various contexts, including news media, academia, and science. While primarily financial, the "cost" can extend to time and effort. When using this phrase, consider specifying the type of cost to ensure clarity. While the phrase is suitable for diverse contexts, simpler alternatives like "expensive undertaking" or "difficult task" may be preferable for casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expensive undertaking

Focuses on the substantial financial investment required.

high-priced labor

Highlights the significant cost of the workforce involved.

resource-intensive project

Emphasizes the substantial amount of resources consumed.

laborious task

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved.

demanding assignment

Stresses the challenging nature of the work.

financially draining activity

Highlights the negative financial impact of the work.

premium service

Suggests a high level of expertise and expense.

big-ticket item

Implies a significant purchase or investment of time or money.

time-consuming effort

Focuses on the extended period needed to complete the work.

complex operation

Emphasizes the intricacy and resources needed.

FAQs

What does "costly work" mean?

The phrase "costly work" describes a task, project, or activity that requires significant resources, whether those are financial, time-related, or effort-based.

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

You can use "costly work" to describe anything from renovations to research. For example: "The restoration of the historical monument was a "costly work" but essential to preserve the city's heritage."

What are some alternatives to "costly work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "expensive undertaking", "resource-intensive project", or "laborious task".

Is "costly work" the same as "expensive work"?

While similar, "costly work" can imply more than just financial expense. It can also encompass time, effort, and other resources, whereas "expensive work" primarily refers to monetary cost.