painstaking about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painstaking about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is very careful and diligent in their work or attention to detail. Example: "She was painstaking about ensuring that every detail of the project was perfect before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Kenny is painstaking about his work," she said.

The New York Times

Among friends she is known for her easy smile and for being painstaking about the tiniest details and for working doggedly to see them to fruition.

The New York Times - Style

And he is not complaining; indeed, he is exemplary, it seems – he bakes cakes and is painstaking about making sure the family has a healthy diet.

The Guardian - Books

"We did so many revisions," she said, having a cigarette outside her party on Tuesday, "and we were so painstaking about making sure these characters were spot on, and that they worked and they worked together and they were funny and complicated and dramatic and all the things we knew they could be.

The New York Times

Go to see Antonioni's The Red Desert on the same bill with Fellini's 8 1/2, as I once did, and you will feel the difference instantly: Antonioni, so studied, so self-conscious, so painstaking about his plans, creates a movie we can appreciate intellectually, but it bores us.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Under Mr. Rideau, The Angolite ran painstaking exposés: about sexual life at the prison, about poor medical services, about a cruelly malfunctioning electric chair.

The New York Times - Books

From the back seat, the art director Pat Nebo, an Igbo, gave a lecture on the group's customs and agricultural practices, lots of painstaking talk about palm oil and kola nuts.

The New York Times - Magazine

The legislation contains 45 pages of painstaking detail about sound and its resulting fury, with many areas singled out for enforcement, including these: * Barking dogs would have 5 minutes to cease yapping at night, and 10 minutes during the day.

The New York Times

Behind the simple grades are several years' worth of critical and painstaking decisions about how to measure achievement, what to measure, and when to acknowledge that certain qualities in a school cannot be measured.

The New York Times

A Painstaking Account About a decade ago, Lapchick and his wife, Ann Pasnak, developed a master's degree program at the University of Central Florida in Orlando that combined business and sports management studies with a concentration on using sport to promote social change.

The New York Times - Sports

Does any hooligan Tory imagine that, absent the BBC, a commercial company would show such a painstaking historical masterpiece about the most abject moment of American surrender?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "painstaking about" when you want to emphasize a meticulous and diligent approach to a task or subject. It conveys a sense of dedication to accuracy and thoroughness.

Common error

While "painstaking about" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound stilted. Consider varying your language with synonyms like "meticulous", "diligent", or "thorough" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "painstaking about" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing someone's approach to a task or situation. It emphasizes the degree of care and thoroughness involved. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is used to describe someone meticulous and attentive to detail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "painstaking about" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone's meticulous and thorough approach. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reliable sources, primarily in the News & Media category. While not the most common phrase, it effectively conveys dedication to accuracy and quality. When using "painstaking about", consider synonyms like "meticulous" or "diligent" to avoid repetition. Keep in mind also that the phrase can be considered a bit formal, and adjust accordingly to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meticulous regarding

Focuses on precision and attentiveness in a specific context.

scrupulous with

Highlights a strong sense of integrity and precision in handling something.

diligent in

Emphasizes the consistent effort and care applied to a task.

conscientious about

Highlights awareness and careful attention to the implications of one's actions.

thorough with

Indicates completeness and attention to detail in the execution.

careful regarding

Stresses caution and attentiveness to avoid errors or problems.

attentive to detail

Directly points out a focus on the smaller aspects of a task or situation.

precise in

Indicates accuracy and exactness in execution or approach.

exact with

Emphasizes the need for perfect accuracy and precision.

detailed in

Focuses on the inclusion of many specific elements or pieces of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "painstaking about" to describe someone who is extremely careful and thorough in their work. For instance, "She was "painstaking about" ensuring every detail was perfect."

What are some alternatives to "painstaking about"?

Alternatives include phrases like "meticulous regarding", "scrupulous with", or "diligent in", which all convey a similar sense of thoroughness and care.

Is "painstaking about" formal or informal?

"Painstaking about" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very informal contexts, you might choose a simpler phrase like "really careful about."

Which is more common, "painstaking about" or "painstaking in"?

While both are grammatically correct, "painstaking in" might be slightly more common in contemporary usage. However, the best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.