When we say that someone "takes pains" to do something, it means that they put extra effort and care into achieving a desired outcome. There are several other words or phrases that can be used to convey a similar meaning. For example, one might say that someone "exerts themselves" or "goes the extra mile" in order to accomplish a task. Alternatively, they may "take steps" or "put in the work" to produce a desired result. Other synonyms for "takes pains" might include "makes an effort", "diligently works", or "puts forth a lot of energy". No matter how you express it, the idea of putting in extra effort to achieve a goal is an important concept in many areas of life.