What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
legwork
Example
I had to do a lot of legwork to find the right materials for my project. [legwork: noun]
Example
She did all the legwork necessary to make sure the event went smoothly. [legwork: adjective]
spadework
Example
The spadework of researching and gathering data took up most of my time. [spadework: noun]
Example
He did all the spadework necessary to prepare for the presentation. [spadework: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Legwork is more commonly used in everyday language than spadework. Legwork is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spadework is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between legwork and spadework?
Spadework is generally considered more formal or literary than legwork, which is more commonly used in everyday language and informal contexts.
