take pains

USAGE SUMMARY

"take pains" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to take great effort, and it can be used in both formal and informal English. For example, "We took pains to ensure that the project was completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The federal courts generally take pains to make this so.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, interpreters take pains to match a speaker's affect.

The New Yorker

Food manufacturers should take pains to identify and control potential steam system contamination.

Hygienic Design of Food Factories

But Mr. Dinkins's advisers take pains to note the differences.

The New York Times

Take pains Some writers produce books without effort.

The Guardian

We must take pains not to be precious.

The Guardian - Opinion

I take pains to hide the ingredients and the hardware.

The New Yorker

Its officers take pains to sort the ringleaders from the rest.

The Economist

By the nineteen-thirties, he seems too preoccupied to take pains with his style.

The New Yorker

President Obama is right to take pains to avoid any impression that Washington is orchestrating events.

The New York Times

But Mr. Obama will take pains not to look overly chummy with the Chinese leader.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take pains" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and careful effort made to achieve a specific outcome or avoid a particular situation.

Common error

While "take pains" is widely accepted, avoid using it in extremely informal contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. For instance, in casual conversation, "try hard" might be a better fit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take pains" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a deliberate effort or careful approach. It's often used to emphasize the amount of attention and effort someone dedicates to a task or situation. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take pains" is a valuable tool for expressing deliberate effort and careful attention. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, scientific, and business contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional registers. To enhance your writing, use "take pains" to emphasize a commitment to quality and precision, and consider alternatives like "make an effort" or "go to great lengths" to suit the specific nuance of your message. Avoiding its use in very informal settings will ensure your communication remains appropriate and impactful. Ludwig AI confirms that "take pains" is a valid expression to denote a significant degree of care and effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go to great lengths

Suggests extreme measures or efforts are being taken.

make every effort

Similar to "make an effort" but with increased emphasis.

make an effort

Focuses on the exertion of effort, simplifying the original phrase.

bend over backwards

Implies excessive effort, sometimes to the point of inconvenience.

devote attention

Focuses on dedicating focus and care to a task or subject.

exert oneself

Emphasizes the personal investment of energy and effort.

be meticulous

Highlights the careful and precise nature of the effort.

be diligent

Emphasizes the persistent and thorough nature of the effort.

strive

Highlights the act of trying hard to achieve something.

try hard

A simpler and more direct way of expressing effort.

FAQs

How can I use "take pains" in a sentence?

You can use "take pains" to describe making a significant effort to do something, such as, "The researchers "took pains" to ensure the accuracy of their data" or "She "takes pains" to avoid offending anyone".

What does "take pains" mean?

"Take pains" means to make a significant effort or to be very careful in doing something. It implies a deliberate and conscientious approach to a task or situation.

What are some alternatives to "take pains"?

Alternatives to "take pains" include "make an effort", "go to great lengths", or "strive". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "taking pains"?

Yes, "taking pains" is a correct and usable variation of the phrase, often used in a continuous or progressive sense. For example, "He was "taking pains" to explain the process clearly."