piece of work

USAGE SUMMARY

"piece of work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to someone or something that has been created with difficulty or care, or to emphasize how impressive or difficult something is. For example, you could say "That pie is a real piece of work," to mean that it looks very impressive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What a piece of work".

The New York Times

"She's a piece of work.

The New Yorker

He's a piece of work.

The New York Times - Arts

Lang Hancock was a piece of work.

The New Yorker

It's a powerful piece of work.

The New York Times

"It's an amazing piece of work.

BBC

It is a considerable piece of work.

The Guardian

You really are a piece of work.

Independent

"What a piece of work is man!

The New York Times

Great piece of work Roukhsar.

Columbia University

An engaging piece of work.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piece of work" to describe a task or creation that requires significant effort, skill, or time. This phrase can convey both admiration and a sense of the challenges involved.

Common error

Avoid using "piece of work" in overly casual settings where a more straightforward compliment or description would suffice. Overusing idiomatic expressions can sometimes diminish their impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "piece of work" functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe something tangible or intangible that has been created or achieved. It can also be used to describe a person, usually with negative connotations, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "piece of work" is a versatile expression used to describe both admirable creations and difficult individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness and usability. As evidenced by the numerous examples from diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and academic institutions, its frequent presence in News & Media, Academia, and Science shows its broad applicability. While generally neutral, context is key to understanding its intent, whether commendatory or critical. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "laborious undertaking" or "significant achievement" to emphasize specific aspects of the task or individual in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laborious undertaking

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in completing the task.

significant achievement

Highlights the accomplishment and its importance.

remarkable creation

Focuses on the creative aspect and the exceptional quality of the work.

notable accomplishment

Stresses the worthiness of attention and recognition.

impressive feat

Highlights the skill and effort required to achieve something difficult.

complex project

Draws attention to the intricate and multifaceted nature of the work.

considerable effort

Emphasizes the amount of work put into the task.

demanding assignment

Focuses on the challenging nature of the given task.

difficult task

Highlights the problematic nature of the task.

major undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and importance of the task.

FAQs

How can I use "piece of work" in a sentence?

You can use "piece of work" to describe something impressive like, "The novel is a remarkable "piece of work"." It can also be used ironically to describe a difficult person, such as, "He's a real "piece of work"!"

What can I say instead of "piece of work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "laborious undertaking", "significant achievement", or "remarkable creation".

Is it appropriate to use "piece of work" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience and the specific context. In highly formal writing, more direct and specific language might be preferable. However, in many professional contexts, "piece of work" is perfectly suitable.

When is it better to avoid using the phrase "piece of work"?

Avoid using "piece of work" in situations where extreme precision or a completely neutral tone is required. For instance, in highly technical or legal documents, more literal and descriptive language may be more appropriate.