painstaking in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painstaking in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is very careful and thorough in their work or efforts. Example: "She was painstaking in her research, ensuring that every detail was accurate and well-documented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Kelly is painstaking in her attempts to articulate these voices.

The Guardian - Arts

Steve Jobs eventually outcompeted Microsoft because he was so painstaking in perfecting Apple's products.

The Economist

Ferguson is painstaking in getting the best out of players while he has them.

The New York Times - Sports

He was painstaking in the detail, but he saw in these examples a bigger picture.

The Guardian - Books

The field work and data collection that go into making these discoveries are painstaking in the extreme.

The New Yorker

His only mistake was that they had been too painstaking in the way they removed the orchids.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Yet every day mothers spend countless hours researching, traveling to, and going through a painstaking in-take process.

Huffington Post

I had written her a letter — in painstaking French — in August, 2007, and it was now January, 2008.

The New Yorker

The details of how to build them are specified in painstaking detail in multiple public and open forums.

The Guardian

But in Pakistan the influence is more overt, and the report points it out in painstaking detail in the example of the police investigation of Ms. Bhutto's killing.

The New York Times

I had written her a letter — in painstaking French — in August,… OUR FAR-FLUNG CORRESPONDENTS about Paducah, Kentucky, the uranium-processing plant and problem of atomic waste.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "painstaking in" with strong verbs to amplify the sense of effort. For example, "He was painstaking in verifying each source" sounds more impactful than "He was painstaking in his source verification".

Common error

Avoid using "painstaking in" to describe simple tasks that do not require significant effort. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound unnatural. Simpler adjectives like "careful" or "thorough" might be more appropriate in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "painstaking in" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of being extremely thorough and diligent in a particular activity. As Ludwig AI tells us, it is usable in written English and describes someone who is very careful and thorough in their work or efforts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "painstaking in" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a high level of care and effort invested in a particular activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and well-regarded. Its usage spans from news and media to academic writing, indicating its versatility across different contexts. While "painstaking in" is mostly appropriate for formal language, remember to reserve it for situations genuinely reflecting extensive labor and detailed focus, and consider related alternatives like "meticulous in" or "diligent in" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Meticulous in

Emphasizes attention to detail, similar to "painstaking in", but focuses more on precision.

Diligent in

Highlights persistent effort and dedication, differing slightly from "painstaking in" which emphasizes care.

Thorough in

Focuses on completeness and comprehensiveness, where "painstaking in" emphasizes the effort involved.

Careful in

Emphasizes caution and attention to avoid mistakes, whereas "painstaking in" stresses the effort.

Detailed in

Highlights the inclusion of many details, similar to the thoroughness implied by "painstaking in".

Precise in

Focuses on exactness and accuracy, where "painstaking in" emphasizes the effort to achieve this.

Scrupulous in

Stresses moral or ethical attention to detail, adding a layer of conscientiousness not explicit in "painstaking in".

Conscientious in

Highlights a sense of duty and care, whereas "painstaking in" focuses on the effort.

Attentive in

Emphasizes alertness and focus, where "painstaking in" emphasizes effort and meticulousness.

Exacting in

Highlights strict demands for accuracy, shifting the focus from effort to high standards compared to "painstaking in".

FAQs

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

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

What are some alternatives to "painstaking in"?

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

When is it appropriate to use "painstaking in" versus "careful in"?

"Painstaking in" emphasizes the significant effort and labor involved, whereas "careful in" simply implies caution. Use "painstaking in" when the task requires extensive attention to detail and is notably laborious.

Is "painstaking in" considered formal or informal language?

"Painstaking in" is generally considered neutral to formal. While not overly technical, it conveys a level of seriousness and thoroughness that is suitable for professional and academic contexts.