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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
cumulative work
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"cumulative work" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It refers to work that builds upon or combines all previous work in order to achieve a certain goal or result. Example: The employee's annual performance evaluation took into account their cumulative work over the past five years, which showed a consistent level of dedication and growth.
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
17 human-written examples
This cumulative work – and the exhaustion that accompanies it – is acknowledged in our own walk between its sagging walls.
News & Media
For instance, in crucial domains of child development – ranging from child protection to more fundamental studies of child development and educational outcomes – we don't have the robust cumulative work that would yield enough evidence for good policy.
News & Media
Especially through the cumulative work of these three figures, the symphony became more unified, with each movement calculated to complement the others thematically, structurally, and in terms of overall character.
Encyclopedias
Since then, there has been a steady flow of high-quality descriptive journalism about the Pakistani insurgency, and about the limitations of the Pakistan government's attempts to contain it — particularly by Jane Perlez, at the Times, whose cumulative work since last year offers the best file on the subject.
News & Media
We have summarized the cumulative work of several groups in this area, describing the current status of efforts to bioengineer plants for elevated vitamin E content.
Science
The interviewees indicated that this model often does not result in the recruitment of the most adequate candidates, as it relies on one's ability to perform on a test rather than their cumulative work experience and educational achievements.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
42 human-written examples
In this case, two different negative effects occur: the cumulative working surface of parallel slides stack is less than the rolled stack surface; moreover the plastic frame behaves as a nozzle that can produce little variations in the resonance frequency of the tube (Fig. 6).
In this case, two different negative effects occur: the cumulative working surface of parallel slide stack is less than the rolled stack surface; moreover, the plastic frame behaves as a nozzle that can produce little variations in the resonance frequency of the tube (Figure 6).
In early 2013 she complained of a "poor ergonomic set-up" after injuring herself reaching for the phone and filed a claim for cumulative work-related trauma, beginning her third year of paid leave.
News & Media
The period of cumulative WTC work exposure for the FDNY-FF group varied from 1 to 75 days (mean of 20.2 days), with all but 2 of the FDNY-FFs working at the WTC for ≥ 2 days.
The FDA database appears to be cumulative from work from 1990 to 1992, and the discrepancies suggest that the FDA and state governments should undertake a broad spectrum survey of mercury and other contaminants in fish to update their database.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing long-term projects or career evaluations, use "cumulative work" to emphasize the value of consistent effort and progress over time.
Common error
Avoid using "cumulative work" when referring to a single, ongoing project. "Cumulative work" implies a review of past efforts, not just the present one.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "cumulative work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It encapsulates the idea of work that has been built up or accumulated over a period. As suggested by Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct phrase.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
35%
Encyclopedias
5%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Wiki
5%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "cumulative work" is a grammatically sound noun phrase commonly used to describe the accumulated effort and output over time. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for formal, neutral, and professional contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic content. When writing, ensure that "cumulative work" is used to reference past efforts rather than ongoing projects, and consider alternatives like "accumulated effort" or "overall achievement" to fine-tune the emphasis. Furthermore, avoid the mistake of using "cumulative works" instead of "cumulative work". The frequency of examples indicate that this term is commonly used in various contexts.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
accumulated effort
Focuses on the effort put in over time, rather than the completed work itself.
combined results
Highlights the outcome achieved by bringing together different pieces of work.
overall achievement
Emphasizes the final accomplishment resulting from a body of work.
collective output
Stresses the joint nature of the work and its yield.
aggregate outcome
Points to the final result after adding up all individual contributions.
body of research
Specifically refers to a collection of research studies.
total production
Highlights the quantity produced through work.
integrated project
Suggests a project where different parts are closely connected and working together.
consolidated labor
Underlines the combined effort of different individuals or groups.
complete portfolio
Refer to the complete compilation of the achievements.
FAQs
How can I use "cumulative work" in a sentence?
You can use "cumulative work" to describe the total effort and output produced over a period, as in, "The employee's promotion was based on their excellent "cumulative work" over the past decade".
What are some alternatives to "cumulative work"?
Alternatives include "accumulated effort", "combined results", or "overall achievement", each subtly altering the emphasis.
Is it correct to say "cumulative works" instead of "cumulative work"?
While "works" can refer to individual creations, "cumulative work" usually refers to the total effort or output considered as a whole, making it generally more appropriate. If you want to refer to the sum of a series of works you could say "body of work".
What's the difference between "cumulative work" and "ongoing project"?
"Cumulative work" refers to the completed work and accomplishments over a period, whereas an "ongoing project" is something currently in progress. Use "cumulative work" to reflect on past efforts, not current ones.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested