Meaning & use
fine craftsmanship
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Meaning
noununcountable
the skill and care shown in making something, especially by hand
Grammar: Uncountable, so it has no plural and takes a singular verb: Fine craftsmanship takes years to learn.
Patterns
- fine craftsmanship in something
- the fine craftsmanship of something
The fine craftsmanship of the wooden chairs impressed everyone.
She admired the fine craftsmanship in the old silver teapot.
This table shows fine craftsmanship in every joint.
Common combinations
- admire the craftsmanship
- Visitors admire the craftsmanship of the carved doors.
- fine craftsmanship in
- There is fine craftsmanship in the way the stone is cut.
- a piece of fine craftsmanship
- The violin is a piece of fine craftsmanship.
- show fine craftsmanship
- The handmade shoes show fine craftsmanship.
Synonyms and how they differ
- workmanship
- Workmanship is a more general word for the skill in making something; fine craftsmanship often suggests especially careful, beautiful work.
- artistry
- Artistry is about artistic skill, while fine craftsmanship can also describe practical, sturdy objects.
Opposites
Word family
- craftsman noun
- a person who makes things skillfully by hand
- craft noun
- a skill or activity of making things by hand
- craftsmanship noun
- the skill of a person who makes things
Commonly confused: fine craftsmanship or craftsmanship?
fine craftsmanship vs craftsmanship
Craftsmanship is the general noun for the skill; fine craftsmanship adds the idea of high quality.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'fine craftsmanship' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is uncountable and usually describes the quality of a made thing, as in option 1. Option 0 wrongly uses 'a' with an uncountable noun; option 2 wrongly uses it for a person; option 3 wrongly uses it as a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fine craftsmanship”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.