painstaking preparation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painstaking preparation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a thorough and meticulous process of getting ready for an event or task. Example: "The success of the event was largely due to the painstaking preparation that the team undertook in the weeks leading up to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Preparing for the hunt involves sometimes hours of painstaking preparation; gathering plants, bugs and mushrooms to make into useful potions or sell for cash, hunting smaller monsters to carve them for skin and bone to improve your armour, mining for ores to forge into better weapons.

The Guardian - Tech

Throughout the series, the outdoor scenes, especially, have a precision and freshness that suggest painstaking preparation and a single take.

The New York Times - Arts

When enemy ground forces threatened Plattsburg, N.Y. the U.S. Army headquarters on the northern frontier Macdonough's foresight and painstaking preparation for battle paid off.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Trials are won and the truth is exposed because of detailed, painstaking preparation done before the first witness is sworn in".

The New York Times

The MIRA plan, which rejects the idea of writing a highly specific proposal, looks primarily at long-term goals for a research programme, taking out a lot of the painstaking preparation and guess-work.

The Guardian

That, along with her point guard's ability to see plays develop, her painstaking preparation and her ability to motivate her players are what have enabled her, at 27, to turn the program around.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Of the previous five matches between the teams, the visitors had won four and lost the fifth by a single point in this stadium 10 months ago, but this was meant to be different, an affirmation of Laporte's painstaking preparations.

The Guardian - Sport

White House officials said they began painstaking preparations for the first two weeks of the new presidency immediately after New Year's and had a day-by-day plan in place by Jan . 8

The New York Times

Such painstaking preparations are in marked contrast to the more laissez-faire attitude of previous generations toward the cultural heritage of the western world.

Los Angeles Times

From Lehrer's own perspective, the art of moderating requires painstaking intellectual preparation and the guts of a high-wire performer.

Huffington Post

But while sangria may be great for crowds, it also lends itself to painstaking individual preparations.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "painstaking preparation" to highlight the contrast between the effort invested and the seemingly simple or successful outcome, showing the value of detailed planning.

Common error

Avoid using "painstaking preparation" in contexts where simple or routine preparation is adequate. This can exaggerate the perceived complexity or effort involved. For example, rather than saying "the chef underwent painstaking preparation for a simple salad", just describe the actual specific steps undertaken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "painstaking preparation" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "painstaking" modifies the noun "preparation". It describes the nature and quality of the preparation as requiring great care and effort. Ludwig AI examples show it being used to describe preparations for a battle, a meal, or a marathon.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "painstaking preparation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, particularly in news and encyclopedic contexts, to describe preparations that are thorough and meticulous. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When writing, it is best used to emphasize the level of dedication invested in a task. Alternatives like "meticulous planning" or "thorough groundwork" may be appropriate depending on the specific situation and the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meticulous planning

Emphasizes the detailed and precise nature of the planning stage.

thorough groundwork

Highlights the comprehensive and fundamental nature of the preparation.

diligent groundwork

Stresses the effort and care put into the preparatory stages.

careful planning

Focuses on the attention and caution involved in the planning phase.

extensive research

Highlights the depth and breadth of the investigative work done in preparation.

rigorous development

Emphasizes the strict and demanding nature of the development process.

elaborate arrangements

Focuses on the complexity and detail of the arrangements made.

detailed arrangements

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the arrangements.

careful arrangement

Focuses on the attention and caution involved in the arrangement phase.

thorough research

Stresses the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the research undertaken.

FAQs

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

You can use "painstaking preparation" to describe a process that requires a lot of attention to detail and effort. For example, "The success of the mission was due to the team's painstaking preparation."

What's a good alternative to "painstaking preparation"?

Alternatives include "meticulous planning", "thorough groundwork", or "diligent groundwork", depending on the specific context.

What distinguishes "painstaking preparation" from "careful preparation"?

"Painstaking preparation" emphasizes the effort and meticulousness involved, whereas "careful preparation" simply highlights the attention to detail. "Painstaking" implies a more arduous process.

In what scenarios is "painstaking preparation" most appropriate?

It is most fitting when describing complex tasks or projects that necessitate extreme attention to detail, or when you want to highlight the dedication and hard work that goes into a specific endeavor.