work painstakingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work painstakingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process that requires a lot of effort, attention to detail, and carefulness. Example: "She had to work painstakingly on the project to ensure that every detail was perfect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

To learn the piece, Mr. Hamelin had to renotate the entire work painstakingly, and it still remained a knuckle-buster.

The New York Times - Arts

What Perkins did instead was work painstakingly with Wolfe on changes that cut the novel by some 66,000 words, or roughly 22percentt of its original length.

The New York Times

Just because a self-published author hits the jackpot doesn't mean that another writer won't collaborate with an editor to work painstakingly through numerous versions of a book.

The Guardian - Books

The work painstakingly edited by the team at the Mark Twain Project will be the first edition to rely on the entire original manuscript, including all 174 original illustrations by Edward Windsor Kemble.

University of California, Berkeley

Richard Wright's breathtaking wall work, painstakingly done in gold leaf, offers itself as a kind of Rorschach blot – a pattern into which you could read anything, if only you stared long enough.

The Guardian - Arts

Her sister, Miriam Miller, who lives in Roslyn, is already at work, painstakingly boring holes in the soft gray pearls she will entwine with the eight shades of blue crystals she plucks out of the plastic bowls before her.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Miyazaki is the veteran Japanese animator who works painstakingly by hand, creating lovingly detailed images.

The Guardian

These works painstakingly recreate Kahlo's indigenous costumes, physical wounds, religious imagery and evocations of tropical flora and fauna.

The New York Times - Arts

At the same time, Chief Beck said he was eager to protect the reputation of a department that he had worked painstakingly to repair over the last several years.

The New York Times

Since then, Mr. Marston has been working painstakingly to restore the recordings but only minimally reducing the surface noise to keep a sense of authenticity.

The New York Times - Arts

These seven large-scale works, painstakingly constructed from thousands of tiny gridded rectangles of subtle colour, are paintings and nothing but paintings.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, follow "work painstakingly" with details that show the kind of commitment and care involved in the task. For instance, "He had to work painstakingly, spending hours on each small section".

Common error

While "work painstakingly" is a valid and grammatically correct phrase, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "work carefully" or "work diligently" in less formal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work painstakingly" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, emphasizing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action requires great care, attention to detail, and thoroughness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "work painstakingly" is grammatically correct and functions as an adverbial phrase emphasizing the meticulous nature of an action. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it is more common in news, media, and academic contexts. When writing, consider the formality of your setting; "work painstakingly" adds emphasis to commitment and attention to detail, while simpler alternatives might be better suited for casual contexts. Ludwig's examples show its use in various sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirming its place in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labor diligently

Emphasizes the effort and dedication involved in the work, focusing on the labor aspect.

strive meticulously

Highlights the careful and precise nature of the effort, emphasizing attention to detail.

toil with great care

Focuses on the laborious aspect of the work and the attentiveness applied.

exert oneself thoroughly

Stresses the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the effort.

apply oneself conscientiously

Highlights the dedication and moral aspect of the work, focusing on responsible application.

undertake with precision

Emphasizes the accuracy and exactness of the work undertaken.

execute with deliberation

Focuses on the careful and thoughtful execution of the work.

craft with fastidiousness

Highlights the meticulous attention to detail in creating or crafting something.

develop scrupulously

Emphasizes the rigorous and ethical approach to developing something.

construct elaborately

Focuses on the detailed and complex nature of the construction process.

FAQs

How can I use "work painstakingly" in a sentence?

You can use "work painstakingly" to describe a task that requires great care and attention to detail. For example, "The artist had to work painstakingly on the restoration of the ancient painting."

What are some alternatives to "work painstakingly"?

You can use alternatives such as "labor diligently", "strive meticulously", or "toil with great care" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "work painstakingly" in formal writing?

Yes, "work painstakingly" is appropriate for formal writing as it conveys a sense of diligence and thoroughness. However, ensure that the context warrants such a formal tone.

What's the difference between "work painstakingly" and "work carefully"?

"Work carefully" implies a focus on avoiding mistakes, while "work painstakingly" suggests a more intense and thorough effort, emphasizing the amount of time and dedication involved. The former suggests "work carefully" while the latter describes "work painstakingly".