despite painstaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite painstaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred or was achieved regardless of the careful and thorough effort put into it. Example: "Despite painstaking efforts to complete the project on time, we still missed the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But the risks, despite painstaking care, remain high.

BBC

Despite painstaking research on this fatal disease, the precise role of molecular chaperones in myocardial fibrosis has not yet been elucidated.

Cellular Signalling

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The brooches, necklaces, and bracelets are carefully crafted and often include painstaking detail despite their small size.

Vice

Despite the volume, the work is painstaking; one seamstress's time is devoted entirely to applying lace.

The New York Times

Despite the hints of major progress, investigators warn that the probe could yet be long and painstaking.

Independent

"Diplomacy is painstaking work.

The Guardian

But progress is painstaking.

The Economist

The process was painstaking.

The New York Times

The fact that despite its enormous length, the quality of this epic piece barely flags speaks to years of painstaking research and craft.

The Guardian

It is painstaking work.

The Guardian

Because this is painstaking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite painstaking", ensure that the sentence clearly highlights the contrast between the effort invested and the outcome or situation that remains unchanged. This emphasizes the unexpected persistence of the state or event.

Common error

Avoid using "despite painstaking" when the effort actually led to a change or improvement. This phrase is most effective when highlighting that something persists in spite of considerable effort, not because of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite painstaking" primarily functions as a prepositional modifier, setting up a contrast or concession. It indicates that what follows is true or exists even though significant effort or care (the 'painstaking' part) has been applied. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite painstaking" is a prepositional phrase used to express a contrast, indicating that something persists or occurs even with significant effort. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, although rare in occurrence. Its primary function is to highlight resilience or persistence, often found in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it is best used when there is a clear discrepancy between effort and outcome. Related phrases such as "in spite of meticulous" or "regardless of thorough" offer alternatives for expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of meticulous

Replaces "painstaking" with "meticulous", emphasizing thoroughness and precision; changes the preposition.

regardless of thorough

Uses "regardless of" instead of "despite", focusing on the lack of impact from the effort. Also replacing "painstaking" with "thorough".

notwithstanding careful

Employs "notwithstanding" for a more formal tone, indicating that something is true or factual even considering the careful measures taken. Also replacing "painstaking" with "careful".

even with diligent

Substitutes "despite" with "even with" and "painstaking" with "diligent", highlighting the effort's persistence.

although with attentive

Uses "although with" to introduce the phrase, suggesting a concession despite the care taken; replacing "painstaking" with "attentive".

in the face of elaborate

Changes "despite" to "in the face of", suggesting confronting a challenge, with "painstaking" replaced by "elaborate".

irrespective of scrupulous

Replaces "despite" with "irrespective of", indicating lack of relevance despite the effort; replaces "painstaking" with "scrupulous".

after assiduous

Uses "after" to indicate that something happened subsequently to the effort, "painstaking" is replaced by "assiduous".

despite earnest

Substitutes "painstaking" with "earnest", focusing on the sincerity and seriousness of the effort.

even after considerable

Replacing "despite" with "even after" and "painstaking" with "considerable", it highlights the amount of effort.

FAQs

How can I use "despite painstaking" in a sentence?

You can use "despite painstaking" to show that something remains true or occurs even after a lot of effort has been put into preventing or changing it. For instance, "Despite painstaking research, the cure remains elusive."

What phrases are similar to "despite painstaking"?

Similar phrases include "in spite of meticulous", "regardless of thorough", or "notwithstanding careful", all conveying the idea that something persists despite significant effort.

Is it correct to say "despite painstaking efforts"?

Yes, "despite painstaking efforts" is grammatically correct and commonly used. The word "efforts" can be added to provide a more concrete noun after "painstaking."

What is the difference between "despite painstaking" and "because of painstaking"?

"Despite painstaking" indicates that something happened even though a lot of effort was made to prevent it, while "because of painstaking" suggests that something happened as a direct result of the effort. They have opposite meanings.