great pains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great pains" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has made a significant effort or taken considerable care to achieve something. Example: "She took great pains to ensure that every detail of the project was perfect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They took great pains with these oysters.

The New Yorker

I suffered great pains of hunger.

The Guardian

Great pains are taken to protect the identities of tipsters.

The New York Times

"Chris has taken great pains," Rita says to Vera.

The New Yorker

"We've taken great pains to make the alters very real.

The New York Times - Arts

"He did go to great pains to be social," an executive said.

The New York Times

He takes great pains not to impose his politics on the books.

The New York Times

"We went to great pains to keep it looking like an 1800s farmhouse," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. de Blasio has taken great pains to frame himself as the anti-Bloomberg.

The New York Times

Mr. McInnis goes to great pains to keep the menu as locavore as possible.

The New York Times - Travel

And Dolan takes great pains to avoid them when he attends games.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great pains" to emphasize not just effort, but also the meticulous and careful approach taken to achieve a specific outcome. This implies a dedication to detail and a high standard of quality.

Common error

Avoid using "great pains" when simply describing hard work. This phrase suggests a level of detail and meticulousness beyond basic effort. Use it when highlighting the precision and care involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great pains" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., "take", "go to"). Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to express the considerable effort and attention someone devotes to a task.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great pains" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies considerable effort and meticulous care. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase serves to emphasize the dedication and attention to detail involved in a particular action. For alternative expressions, consider "significant effort" or "meticulous care" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant effort

Focuses on the amount of effort exerted.

considerable effort

Emphasizes the substantial nature of the effort.

substantial effort

Highlights the largeness of the effort invested.

extensive effort

Implies a wide-ranging and thorough effort.

meticulous care

Shifts focus to the detailed and careful attention given.

utmost care

Highlights the supreme level of attention given.

diligent effort

Emphasizes the consistent and hardworking nature of the effort.

careful attention

Focuses on the attentiveness and precision involved.

painstaking effort

Emphasizes the thorough and detailed nature of the work, often involving difficulty.

laborious effort

Highlights the strenuous and demanding nature of the work.

FAQs

How can I use "great pains" in a sentence?

You can use "great pains" to describe someone making a significant effort to achieve something with meticulous care. For example, "She took "great pains" to ensure every detail was perfect".

What's a good alternative to "great pains"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "significant effort", "considerable effort", or "meticulous care".

Is it more formal or informal to say "great pains"?

"Great pains" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's often found in more descriptive or narrative writing where the writer wants to emphasize the thoroughness of the effort.

What does it mean to say someone 'went to great pains'?

To say someone "went to "great pains"" means they put in a lot of effort and were very careful to do something correctly or thoroughly. It emphasizes dedication and attention to detail.