What is painstaking? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "painstaking" effectively in English.

What does "painstaking" mean?

"Painstaking" describes something done with great care, attention to detail, and effort, often involving a lot of patience and perseverance. It implies that considerable effort and care were invested, sometimes to the point of being difficult or tedious.

Here's how to use it in different contexts:

1. Describing a process or task:

• Most Common Use: This is where you'll see "painstaking" most often.
  • “The historian spent painstaking hours researching the old documents.” (Meaning: He worked very carefully and thoroughly.)
  • “She created a painstaking quilt, stitch by stitch.” (Meaning: She did it with great precision and effort.)
  • “The architect’s painstaking plans ensured a structurally sound building.” (Meaning: The plans were meticulously designed.)
  • “He took a painstaking approach to editing the manuscript, correcting every comma and typo.” (Meaning: He carefully and systematically revised it.)

2. Describing a person’s character:

• You can use it to describe someone’s work ethic or personality.
  • “She’s a painstaking worker; she always gets right down to the details.” (Meaning: She is diligent and careful.)
  • “He’s a very painstaking craftsman, renowned for the quality of his work.” (Meaning: He’s incredibly careful and precise in his craft.)

3. Figurative Use (Less Common):

• Sometimes, it can be used metaphorically to describe a difficult or challenging situation.
  • “Navigating the legal system was a painstaking process.” (Meaning: It was slow, complicated, and required a lot of effort.)

Key things to remember:

• Synonyms: Words like "meticulous," "diligent," "thorough," "careful," and "detailed" can often be used interchangeably with "painstaking," but "painstaking" emphasizes the effort involved.
• It’s not always a positive: While often praising effort, "painstaking" can imply something is slow and laborious. It’s not always associated with efficiency.

Examples in sentences showing different contexts:

• Positive: “The jeweler meticulously crafted the diamond ring, taking a painstaking approach to ensure its brilliance.”
• Neutral: “The accountant prepared the financial statements, working on them with a painstaking level of detail.”
• Slightly Negative (implying slow): “The restoration of the ancient manuscript was a painstaking task, taking years to complete.”

Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painstaking
• Oxford Learner's Dictionaries: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/painstaking

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• What kind of context are you thinking about using "painstaking" in? (e.g., writing a story, describing a job, etc.)