working painstakingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working painstakingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is putting in a lot of effort and care into a task, often with attention to detail. Example: "She was working painstakingly on her thesis, ensuring that every detail was perfect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

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

Archaeologists have been working painstakingly at the site – the philosopher's birthplace in 384 BC in the Greek region of Macedonia – for 20 years.

The Guardian

"Four Photoshop artists have been working painstakingly for days to put together this modern masterpiece," the channel says in a breathless press release.

The Guardian - Sport

George Mitchell – the former Democratic Senate majority leader who has been appointed by Barack Obama as his Middle East peace envoy – spent years working painstakingly to shepherd the Northern Ireland peace process.

The Guardian

I was spending whole days at the Bibliothèque Nationale on Rue de Richelieu, arriving at 8 45 a.m., before all the others, to get a peaceful corner seat, a row behind the philosopher Michel Foucault, working painstakingly on my Ph.D. "Well, are you interested in this free ticket?" Janine asked again on one of her many phone calls.

The New York Times

The fact that Selznick has achieved his success as a monochrome line illustrator working painstakingly in pencil on a tiny scale – "my drawings are 3in x 5in, and magnified" – makes it all the more extraordinary in an age swamped by computerised phantasmagoria and gimmickry.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

"We've worked painstakingly to see how we get the thread to be finer; how to print block differently," Mr. Khosla said, adding, "Our chikan work is our Birkin bag".

The New York Times

Mr. Hardy has worked painstakingly to draw out every suspicious detail from Mr. Pagones in a cross-examination that has gone on for five days and is to continue on Monday.

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a long process where attention to detail is crucial, using "working painstakingly" can highlight the dedication and thoroughness involved.

Common error

Avoid using "working painstakingly" in highly informal contexts. While grammatically correct, its slightly elevated tone might sound out of place in casual conversation; consider using alternatives like "working hard" or "really trying" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working painstakingly" functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb, describing the manner in which someone is performing an action. It indicates a high degree of care, effort, and attention to detail. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "working painstakingly" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe a process done with significant effort and careful attention to detail. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. While it's not overly formal, its slightly elevated tone makes it best suited for professional or academic contexts rather than casual conversation. The phrase emphasizes not only the effort expended but also the meticulous nature of the work involved, setting it apart from simpler alternatives like "working hard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working meticulously

Emphasizes precision and attention to detail.

working diligently

Highlights persistent and careful effort.

working assiduously

Suggests constant and attentive effort.

working carefully

Focuses on the care and attention given to the task.

working thoroughly

Emphasizes completeness and attention to all aspects.

working conscientiously

Highlights a sense of duty and moral correctness in the work.

laboring intensely

Implies great effort and focus on the work.

applying oneself rigorously

Stresses a disciplined and demanding approach to the work.

exerting great effort

Focuses on the amount of energy expended on the task.

taking great pains

Highlights the significant effort and care taken.

FAQs

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

You can use "working painstakingly" to describe someone who is putting in a lot of effort and care into a task, often with attention to detail. For example: "The archaeologists were "working painstakingly" to uncover the ancient artifacts".

What are some alternatives to "working painstakingly"?

You can use alternatives like "working meticulously", "working diligently", or "working carefully" depending on the context.

Is "working painstakingly" formal or informal?

"Working painstakingly" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It is appropriate for professional, academic, and news contexts.

What does "working painstakingly" emphasize?

"Working painstakingly" emphasizes both the effort and the attention to detail involved in a task. It suggests that the person is not only working hard but also taking great care to ensure accuracy and thoroughness.