most painstaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most painstaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that requires a lot of effort, attention to detail, or care, often in a meticulous or thorough manner. Example: "The artist's most painstaking work took years to complete, as every detail was carefully crafted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

4) Careers fair woes Careers fairs: the most painstaking events in the university calendar.

Independent

The most painstaking work involved the removal of works from display cases.

The New York Times

The most painstaking record of Muhamed & Zaref is the work of Prof. Edouard Claparede, of the U. of Geneva.

The New Yorker

The most painstaking task of the year so far has been the annual census of vegetation in the plots.

The New York Times

And in even smaller print - noticeable only to the most painstaking of readers - is the word: "online".

The Guardian - Film

Now, with lidar, thousands of acres of dense jungle can be finely mapped in a few hours, with greater accuracy than the most painstaking ground survey can provide.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Only the most paranoid, painstaking coder in the world could avoid making mistakes".

The New Yorker

The Vietnamese government will supply the workers who will do most of the painstaking survey work.

The New York Times

It's knowing which details to leave out — even if that means keeping most of your painstaking research to yourself.

The New York Times - Books

That leaves the most difficult and painstaking work to the squads of searchers from Japan's military and emergency groups like the Tokyo Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

The New York Times

And, most notably, with painstaking love and duty, he tries to engage his mother in the life in which she has lost all bearings.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or investigation, use "most painstaking" to highlight the thoroughness and attention to detail involved, emphasizing the dedication required for accuracy and completeness.

Common error

Avoid using "most painstaking" in informal or casual conversations. This phrase is best suited for formal writing or professional settings where a high degree of thoroughness and meticulousness is being emphasized. Instead use words like "careful" or "detailed" in more informal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most painstaking" primarily functions as a superlative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate the highest degree of effort, care, and detail involved in a particular task or activity. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most painstaking" is a superlative adjective phrase used to describe tasks or efforts requiring extreme care and attention to detail. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts. When using "most painstaking", consider its formal tone and the emphasis it places on thoroughness. Alternatives like ""most meticulous"" or "most thorough" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most meticulous

Focuses on extreme attention to detail and precision, similar to painstaking but emphasizing accuracy.

most fastidious

Emphasizes extreme care and attention to detail, particularly regarding cleanliness or accuracy, closely related to painstaking.

most thorough

Highlights the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the effort, aligning with the thoroughness implied by painstaking.

most diligent

Stresses the persistent and careful effort applied, capturing the dedication inherent in painstaking work.

most elaborate

Emphasizes the complexity and detail involved, similar to painstaking in its focus on thoroughness.

most conscientious

Highlights the care and moral responsibility taken in the work, aligning with the dedication implied by painstaking.

most scrupulous

Focuses on the strict adherence to detail and moral principles, similar to the carefulness of painstaking.

most exacting

Emphasizes the demanding and precise nature of the task, capturing the rigor involved in painstaking work.

most arduous

Highlights the difficulty and strenuous nature of the effort, related to the effort implied by painstaking.

most laborious

Emphasizes the extensive effort and hard work required, aligning with the intensity of painstaking work.

FAQs

How can I use "most painstaking" in a sentence?

Use "most painstaking" to describe tasks, efforts, or processes that require extreme care, detail, and thoroughness. For example, "The "most meticulous" research involved years of detailed analysis".

What are some alternatives to "most painstaking"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""most meticulous"", "most thorough", or "most diligent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "most painstaking" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "most painstaking" is more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal writing, consider using simpler terms like "very careful" or "highly detailed".

What distinguishes "most painstaking" from "most careful"?

"Most painstaking" emphasizes the effort, thoroughness, and meticulous attention to detail required, while "most careful" primarily highlights the degree of caution and attention given to avoid errors or harm.