industrious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "industrious" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe someone who is hard-working and productive, for example: Jack is an industrious student, always completing his work on time and going above and beyond the expectations of his teachers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former was industrious rather than incisive, the latter vomiting upon his return to the bench having been substituted midway through the second period.

The Guardian - Sport

Patrick Ensor (obituary, July 3) was a ferociously sharp journalist, clever, dedicated, hugely industrious - shamingly so to many of his colleagues like me - and hugely creative.

The Guardian

Golly, yes! Verges that look freshly trimmed by industrious eastern Europeans while we were still in our pyjamas?

The Guardian - Arts

He was industrious in his work and showed a coolness in front of goal that he is not best known for, but it perhaps isn't misguided to say that, when in need of a goal with 10 minutes remaining, you might prefer to bring on Austin before Welbeck.

The Guardian - Sport

These sought-after ouzels live among the rusting fragments of mining, the glinting fluorspar and rocky clefts of this once industrious valley.

The Guardian

People are industrious and hardworking; you will not find beggary here".

The Guardian

Whereas David Cameron, the prime minister, promised to change Britain, with a fuzzy idea of volunteerism, Mr Osborne is actually changing it.His ambition is to make a more industrious society, less blighted by the entitlement culture that blossomed under Labour.

The Economist

Japan is ageing faster than any country in historyFOR about 50 years after the second world war the combination of Japan's fast-growing labour force and the rising productivity of its famously industrious workers created a growth miracle.

The Economist

In Ningbo, a coastal town in Zhejiang province, Bird's modern factory is full of industrious workers and high-tech machines, but Dai Maoyu, Bird's executive vice-president, looks tired.

The Economist

Critics of microcredit and cash transfers as a panacea for poverty have posited that not everyone is a potentially successful entrepreneur; access to economic resources, they say, will therefore just benefit those self-employed individuals who are industrious.

The Economist

Ant colonies are founded on two main "castes" of ant: queens, whose sole function is reproduction, and their industrious, sterile, worker daughters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person, use "industrious" to highlight their consistent effort and dedication, especially in professional or academic settings. For instance, "The industrious student consistently earned top grades."

Common error

Avoid using "industrious" to merely indicate activity without purpose or productivity. Instead, reserve it for describing someone whose efforts consistently yield tangible results. For example, being simply "busy" isn't the same as being "industrious".

Linguistic Context

The word "industrious" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns, typically people or groups, to describe their characteristic of being hard-working and diligent. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates consistent effort and productivity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "industrious" is a versatile adjective that describes someone who is hard-working and diligent. It's grammatically correct and very commonly used, appearing across diverse contexts from news and media to formal business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Related phrases like "hardworking" and "diligent" offer similar meanings, while best practices suggest emphasizing the connection between effort and tangible results. Be mindful not to confuse "industrious" with merely being "busy". Overall, "industrious" is a valuable term for praising commitment and productivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardworking

A direct synonym, emphasizing consistent effort and dedication to tasks.

diligent

Highlights carefulness and perseverance in completing tasks with precision.

assiduous

Implies constant and close attention to detail, often in a studious manner.

productive

Focuses on the output and results achieved through consistent effort.

sedulous

Implies perseverance and painstaking effort in one's endeavors.

enterprising

Suggests initiative and a willingness to undertake new and challenging projects.

zealous

Indicates passionate and enthusiastic dedication, often associated with a particular cause or goal.

studious

Specifically relates to dedication to learning and academic pursuits.

busy

Indicates being actively engaged in various tasks, though not necessarily with a focus on productivity or diligence.

active

Implies energetic involvement but lacks the specific connotation of dedication to work.

FAQs

How can I use "industrious" in a sentence?

You can use "industrious" to describe someone who is hardworking and diligent. For example, "The "industrious worker" always completes their tasks on time."

What are some synonyms for "industrious"?

Some synonyms for "industrious" include "hardworking", "diligent", and "enterprising".

What is the difference between "industrious" and "busy"?

"Industrious" implies productive and purposeful activity, while "busy" simply means occupied. An "industrious person" is not just active, but effectively achieving results.

Is it appropriate to describe an animal as "industrious"?

Yes, you can describe animals as "industrious" if they exhibit persistent and productive behavior, such as "industrious beavers" building dams or "industrious ants" working in a colony.