was so painstaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was so painstaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or process that required a lot of careful effort and attention to detail. Example: "The artist's work was so painstaking that every brushstroke seemed to tell a story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The separation of curium and americium was so painstaking that the Berkeley group initially called those elements pandemonium (from Greek for all demons or hell) and delirium (from Latin for madness).

Wikipedia

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

The Economist

He was so painstaking as an artist that his output was sometimes only two paintings in a year.

The New York Times - Arts

The separation of curium and americium was so painstaking that those elements were initially called by the Berkeley group as pandemonium (from Greek for all demons or hell) and delirium (from Latin for madness).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Her drawings of abstract geometric forms are so painstaking that it is as if each line were scored rather than drawn.

The New Yorker

We loved it most because Jean-Michel Poulot's fusion cooking is so painstaking and so versatile.

The New York Times - Food

They say putting together cases will be so painstaking that real tribunals may not be held for months, if ever.

The New York Times

These conversions are so painstaking to complete correctly, Mr. Cameron said, because "there's no magic-wand software solution for this".

The New York Times

Legal experts said the process of preparing for the tribunals would be so painstaking that it might be several months before any began.

The New York Times

"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

It was so fragile and painstaking that I would have loved to watch it again, but without the body-obscuring costumes.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "was so painstaking" describes effort, ensure that the surrounding text clarifies why the task required such dedication.

Common error

Avoid using "was so painstaking" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "meticulous", "diligent", or "thorough" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was so painstaking" functions as a descriptive phrase, emphasizing the high degree of effort and care involved in a particular task or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples show it's often used to describe processes requiring meticulous attention.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was so painstaking" is a grammatically sound and relatively frequent expression used to describe tasks or processes that demanded significant care and attention to detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for highlighting the intensity and thoroughness of effort involved. Although versatile, the phrase is predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. To avoid redundancy in writing, consider using synonyms like "was so meticulous" or "required such diligence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

involved painstaking attention

Directly uses 'painstaking' as an adjective.

was such a meticulous task

Focuses on the meticulous nature of the task.

required such diligent effort

Highlights the diligence required.

was incredibly detailed

Emphasizes the level of detail involved.

needed meticulous preparation

Highlights the need for careful preparation.

demanded extreme care

Stresses the necessity of carefulness.

took great pains

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey effort.

was performed with exceptional precision

Focuses on the precision of the execution.

was a labor of love

Implies dedication and affection alongside effort.

necessitated extreme thoroughness

Highlights the thoroughness required.

FAQs

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

You can use "was so painstaking" to describe a process or task that required a great deal of care and attention to detail. For example, "The restoration of the antique furniture "was so painstaking" that it took several months to complete".

What are some alternatives to "was so painstaking"?

Alternatives include "was so meticulous", "required such diligence", or "demanded extreme care". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was so painstaking" formal or informal?

"Was so painstaking" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more common in descriptive writing than in casual conversation.

What does it mean when something "was so painstaking"?

It means that the task or process required extreme care, effort, and attention to detail. It implies that the work was slow, deliberate, and involved a high degree of precision.