he was very diligent

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'he was very diligent' is both correct and usable in written English.
This sentence can be used to describe someone's work ethic, or to emphasize that someone was working hard and putting in a lot of effort. For example, "John was very diligent in his work, and always finished his tasks quickly and efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"But he was very diligent.

The New York Times

He was very diligent and passionate about his work".

The New York Times

"He was very diligent with everything he did and how he did it," Shelton said.

The New York Times - Sports

"He followed the plan, he was very diligent in his preparation, took advantage of all the circumstances and ran a good clean race," said Moses.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"He's very diligent and backs himself under pressure.

BBC

He's very diligent with his recovery and his rehab and he'll be working around the clock to get himself right.

BBC

"The Australian Rugby Union was very diligent about the way it went about the process.

The Guardian - Sport

The department's Web site lists her as a firearms instructor, and Captain Sudol said Officer Collura was "very diligent in everything she did".

The New York Times

Co-workers said Ms. Wilson, 48, an assistant vice president at Aon, always tried to make people feel valued and was very diligent.

The New York Times

"Mr. Gomes was a quiet man and was very diligent in church activities," said Kang Hyang-seon, a teacher who worked with him at Sinbong Elementary School in Pocheon, a town north of Seoul near the border with North Korea.

The New York Times

But they were very diligent in apprising me about the options".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's consistent effort and attention to detail, use "he was very diligent" to convey a strong sense of reliability and commitment.

Common error

While "diligent" is a positive attribute, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "assiduous", "conscientious", or "industrious" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was very diligent" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing a quality of consistent effort and dedication to a male subject. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, commonly used to describe someone's work ethic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was very diligent" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to describe someone's consistent effort and dedication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. While not the most frequently used phrase, as evidenced by its "Uncommon" frequency, it effectively conveys a positive attribute. It is particularly common in "News & Media", where concise and clear descriptions are valued. For variety, consider using synonyms like "he was very conscientious" or "he was very assiduous" to avoid repetition and enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was remarkably assiduous

Replaces "very diligent" with a more formal and emphatic term, "remarkably assiduous".

he was incredibly industrious

Substitutes "very diligent" with "incredibly industrious", highlighting his work ethic.

he was exceptionally meticulous

Replaces "very diligent" with "exceptionally meticulous", focusing on thoroughness and attention to detail.

he was supremely conscientious

Substitutes "very diligent" with "supremely conscientious", emphasizing his dedication and moral responsibility.

he was extremely painstaking

Replaces "very diligent" with "extremely painstaking", stressing the care and effort he put into his work.

he applied himself with great dedication

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the act of applying himself, adding "with great dedication".

he committed himself wholeheartedly

Shifts the focus to commitment, replacing "very diligent" with "committed himself wholeheartedly".

he was tireless in his efforts

Emphasizes his tireless nature, changing "very diligent" to "tireless in his efforts".

he showed great perseverance

Focuses on perseverance, replacing "very diligent" with "showed great perseverance".

he labored with immense effort

Highlights the immense effort, changing "very diligent" to "labored with immense effort".

FAQs

How can I use "he was very diligent" in a sentence?

You can use "he was very diligent" to describe someone's work ethic or to emphasize that someone was working hard and putting in a lot of effort. For instance, "He was very diligent in his studies, always completing his assignments on time".

What are some alternatives to saying "he was very diligent"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he was remarkably assiduous", "he was incredibly industrious", or "he was exceptionally meticulous" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "he was very careful" and "he was very diligent"?

"Careful" implies caution and attention to avoiding mistakes, while "diligent" suggests consistent effort and dedication to a task. While similar, "he was very careful" focuses on precision, and "he was very diligent" focuses on persistent effort.

What does it mean when someone is described as "very diligent"?

It means they are consistently hardworking, thorough, and dedicated to their tasks. A diligent person is reliable and takes their responsibilities seriously.