meticulously detail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meticulously detail" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would be "meticulous detail," which refers to a high level of precision and thoroughness in describing something. Example: "The report provided meticulous detail about the project's progress and challenges."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And the I.R.S. wants me to meticulously detail and account for all my earnings and expenditures?

The New York Times

So let's gather our wits, meticulously detail our battle plans, armed to the hilt with humor and compassion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gorgeous frontispieces, and yes, meticulously detailed drawings.

The Guardian - Music

They are meticulously detailed, but only about two feet tall.

The New York Times - Arts

The books are meticulously detailed and full of ideas.

The New York Times - Arts

As social commentary, Bruegel's depictions of life in Flanders were meticulously detailed.

The New York Times

Chéreau's meticulously detailed direction drew exceptional performances from the entire cast.

The Guardian - Music

He also wrote the meticulously detailed descriptions for the hikers' guide.

The New York Times - Travel

The protagonists and monsters look visually stunning and their in-game models are meticulously detailed.

The Guardian - Tech

It is all meticulously detailed in an orange budgeting book that Mrs. Langerfeld pulled from her garage one recent evening.

The New York Times

His book collection began in the early 1990s as an offshoot of his interest in meticulously detailed dollhouses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using "meticulous details" or "meticulously detailed" instead of "meticulously detail". This avoids potential misinterpretations and aligns with standard English usage.

Common error

Avoid using "meticulously" directly before "detail" as a verb phrase. "Meticulously" is an adverb that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Instead, use the adjective "meticulous" to describe the "details" themselves or rephrase your sentence to use "meticulously" to modify a verb other than "detail", such as "document" or "describe".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while not grammatically standard, attempts to function as a verb phrase aiming to convey the act of detailing something with great precision. As Ludwig highlights, standard usage prefers "meticulous details" or "meticulously detailed".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "meticulously detail" aims to express providing information with great care, it's considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, standard English prefers using "meticulous details" or "meticulously detailed". Examples found in Ludwig come from News & Media, despite its grammatical issues, indicating the expression is used to emphasize thoroughness, accuracy, and to assure comprehensiveness and precision. For correct and clearer communication, it's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives such as providing "meticulous details" or saying something is "meticulously detailed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide meticulous details

Replaces the verb "detail" with the noun "details", clarifying the grammatical structure.

detail meticulously

Inverts the order to emphasize the manner in which the detailing is done.

give a meticulous account

Substitutes "detail" with "give a meticulous account", focusing on providing a thorough explanation.

thoroughly describe

Replaces "meticulously detail" with a more standard phrasing, highlighting the comprehensiveness of the description.

elaborate meticulously

Focuses on expanding information with precision.

scrupulously outline

Emphasizes the careful and principled manner of outlining.

precisely delineate

Highlights accuracy and clarity in defining or describing.

exhaustively catalog

Implies a complete and detailed listing of items or information.

painstakingly document

Focuses on the effort and care taken in recording information.

carefully specify

Emphasizes the precision and intention behind providing specific information.

FAQs

Is "meticulously detail" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "meticulously detail" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. A better alternative is to use "meticulous details" or phrase it as "meticulously detailed".

What does "meticulously detailed" mean?

The phrase "meticulously detailed" describes something that is done with great attention to detail, thoroughness, and precision. For example, you might say a plan is "meticulously detailed" if it includes every possible contingency.

How can I use "meticulous" in a sentence?

You can use "meticulous" as an adjective to describe something done with great care and precision. For instance, "The detective conducted a "meticulous investigation"" or "She kept "meticulous records" of all her expenses".

What are some alternatives to saying something is "meticulously detailed"?

Alternatives to "meticulously detailed" include phrases like "thoroughly detailed", "carefully elaborated", or "precisely outlined". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of the detail you want to emphasize.