intensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "intensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is done with great concentration and effort, or something that is of great intensity. For example: "He studied intensively in order to get the highest grade on the final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The thought of having to network for another month, to meet just another 20 people felt time intensive so I developed a referral system which encouraged people I knew, and trusted, to refer their single friends to me.

The Guardian

It would be hard to argue that compared to other central and eastern European post-communist countries, united Germany failed to establish justice for victims of the GDR: lustration and purges were comparatively intensive and extensive, without deteriorating into the kind of witch-hunts that Poland experienced a few years back.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is understood that there have been intensive cross-party talks in recent days to finalise the plans.

The Guardian

Obama's deputy press secretary, Eric Schultz, told reporters traveling with the president on Air Force One on Friday that the intensive lobbying campaign was "an initial reach-out" that would be followed by more detailed briefings.

The Guardian

Adam had gone to the match with his father, Eddie, who also passed out in the crush and who woke up on a ventilator in intensive care at Sheffield's Northern General hospital.

The Guardian

He then went to the hospital, found Eddie was in intensive care, and called at 1am to tell Janet, who came over to Sheffield with Adam's uncle Robert and waited at Eddie's bedside.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Close observers of his military say Syria is having trouble keeping its sophisticated and maintenance-intensive weapons functioning.

The New York Times

Like many managers in non research-intensive universities, Talboys is frustrated by the City's fear of backing institutions without a Russell Group badge.

The Guardian

Finance is returned to its role as servant rather than master of the global economy; and we invest our taxes and encourage private savings into labour-intensive business opportunities that really protect the environment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Boycotted by the US, Cuba's communist economy had been tied to the Soviet bloc in conventional, capital-intensive chemical farming.

The Guardian

Chairing a governing body of a new academy is a time-intensive job.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a course or program as "intensive", highlight the specific elements that make it so, such as the duration, workload, or the depth of material covered.

Common error

Avoid using "intensive" as a generic descriptor for anything requiring effort. Reserve it for situations where the level of effort or concentration is genuinely high and demonstrably significant.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "intensive" primarily functions as a pre-modifier, enhancing nouns by indicating a high degree of concentration, effort, or severity. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing various contexts, from "intensive care" to "intensive talks".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intensive" is a versatile adjective used to describe something involving significant effort, concentration, or strength. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, use "intensive" to emphasize the degree of effort or resources involved, but avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "thorough" or "rigorous" to add nuance. Remember, Ludwig's examples demonstrate the breadth of its applications, from "intensive care" to "intensive media training".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thorough

Indicates completeness and attention to detail, similar to the exhaustive nature implied by "intensive".

concentrated

Implies a high degree of focus or density, akin to the concentrated effort in "intensive" activities.

rigorous

Suggests strictness and thoroughness, reflecting the demanding nature of something "intensive".

demanding

Emphasizes the high requirements and effort involved, similar to the challenging aspect of "intensive" tasks.

exhaustive

Signifies a comprehensive and thorough approach, comparable to the complete nature of an "intensive" investigation.

in-depth

Highlights the detailed and profound nature of something, much like the thoroughness of an "intensive" study.

arduous

Focuses on the difficulty and strenuous effort required, mirroring the challenging aspect of "intensive" training.

strenuous

Highlights the demanding physical or mental effort involved, similar to the exertion in "intensive" exercise.

heavy-duty

Indicates strength and durability, comparable to the robust nature of "intensive" equipment.

all-out

Emphasizes maximum effort and commitment, akin to the complete dedication in an "intensive" campaign.

FAQs

How is "intensive" generally used in a sentence?

The word "intensive" is used to describe something that involves a great deal of effort, resources, or focus. For example, you could say "intensive training", "intensive care", or "intensive research" to indicate a high level of dedication or activity.

What words can I use instead of "intensive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "thorough", "concentrated", or "rigorous" to convey a similar meaning to "intensive".

Is it correct to use "intensive" to describe a short-term course?

Yes, it is correct if the course involves a concentrated amount of material or requires a significant time commitment in a short period. An "intensive" course typically covers a lot of content quickly.

What's the difference between "intensive" and "extensive"?

"Intensive" describes something that involves a lot of effort or focus in a small amount of time or space, while "extensive" refers to something that covers a large area or scope. For example, "intensive" farming focuses on maximizing yield from a small area, while "extensive" farming involves large tracts of land.