he was conscientious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was conscientious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is diligent, careful, and attentive to detail in their work or responsibilities. Example: "In his role as a project manager, he was conscientious, ensuring that every aspect of the project was executed flawlessly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He was conscientious.

The Guardian - Music

It was not terribly stimulating work, but he was conscientious.

The Guardian

"He was conscientious, and he was especially articulate, both verbally and in writing ability".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But he is conscientious.

The New York Times

He is conscientious and thoroughgoing.

The New York Times - Books

"He is conscientious but his enviable briskness can desert him in certain chapters.

The Guardian - Books

He's conscientious about such authorial niceties as setting the scene and attributing dialogue.

The New Yorker

At times, Billie and Rafael take on the role of little sister and grudgingly doting big brother: he's conscientious about her nutrition, runs her bath with "the precision of an investigative journalist or a cocktail waiter — the right amount of hot water with the right amount of cold water, given that a child's skin is sensitive to both hot and cold".

The New York Times - Books

Zuckerberg said that the business mission and the company's social mission go hand in hand and that he's conscientious of his employees' desires to make money in addition to having impact on the world.

TechCrunch

He's conscientious, dependable and takes pride in his work.

Huffington Post

The only thing he is conscientious about is his objection to actually fighting himself.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was conscientious" to emphasize someone's strong sense of duty and commitment to performing tasks carefully and thoroughly. It's particularly effective when describing professional conduct or academic performance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "he was conscientious" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "he was careful" or "he was responsible" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was conscientious" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of conscientiousness to a male subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was conscientious" is a grammatically correct and usable way to describe someone who is diligent, careful, and attentive to detail. While Ludwig confirms its validity, its relative formality makes it more appropriate for professional and academic contexts than casual conversation. Alternatives such as "he was diligent" or "he was responsible" may be more suitable for informal settings. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was diligent

Emphasizes persistent effort and careful attention.

he was meticulous

Focuses on extreme attention to detail and precision.

he was thorough

Highlights completeness and comprehensiveness in his approach.

he was responsible

Stresses his accountability and reliability.

he was attentive

Focuses on his watchfulness and care in observing details.

he was dedicated

Highlights his commitment and devotion to his work or cause.

he was scrupulous

Indicates a strong moral code and careful adherence to principles.

he was painstaking

Emphasizes the care and effort he put into avoiding errors.

he was careful

General term emphasizing caution and attention to avoid mistakes.

he was mindful

Highlights his awareness and consideration of the consequences of his actions.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "he was conscientious"?

Saying "he was conscientious" means that he was diligent, careful, and thorough in his work or responsibilities, showing a strong sense of duty and attention to detail.

What can I say instead of "he was conscientious"?

You can use alternatives like "he was diligent", "he was meticulous", or "he was thorough" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to use "he was conscientious" in formal writing?

Yes, "he was conscientious" is perfectly appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a sense of professionalism and dedication. However, in informal contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

How does "he was conscientious" differ from "he was hardworking"?

While both describe positive qualities, "he was conscientious" emphasizes carefulness, thoroughness, and a sense of duty, while "he was hardworking" focuses more on the effort and time someone puts into their work.