Less thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Less thorough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as detailed or comprehensive as it could be. Example: "The report was less thorough than expected, leaving out several key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less thorough diagnostic workup, as already discussed, may also lead to stage migration among older patients due to undetected regional or distant metastases.

Clinical Epidemiology

Less thorough preparation for open-book tests can hamper the development of more elaborate schemata, which might be the reason for not finding differences between students who had prepared the backup knowledge for open or for closed-book tests.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

China's current government has periodically resorted to similar, if less thorough, acts.

The New York Times

"Beyond the Shadow of the Senators" is no less thorough and reliable.

The New York Times - Books

Its findings were in line with earlier and less thorough cost estimates.

The New York Times

The Kaiser foundation's findings confirmed earlier, if less thorough, polls tracking parental attitudes toward sex education.

The New York Times

Smaller hoverflies, on the other hand, are less attractive and may receive a less thorough look.

The New York Times - Science

"How to Read a French Fry," while less thorough, is not only good science but also good fun.

The New York Times - Books

Olive-oil fraud continues today, though modern governments are often less thorough and effective than the Romans at preventing it.

The New Yorker

But the Obama Administration's political preparations for a controversial trial were less thorough than those made by previous Administrations.

The New Yorker

Many people use the lightweight but less thorough Microsoft Security Essentials, in which case it's a good idea to run periodic scans with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less thorough", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is lacking in detail compared to. For example, "The initial investigation was less thorough than the follow-up."

Common error

Avoid using "less thorough" without specifying what the subject is being compared to. Saying "The analysis was less thorough" is vague; clarify by stating what a more thorough analysis would have included or what it was less thorough than.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less thorough" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something possesses a lower degree of thoroughness compared to something else, suggesting a deficiency in detail or completeness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less thorough" is a commonly used and grammatically correct comparative adjective phrase that indicates a relative lack of detail or completeness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. Its frequency and presence across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its widespread acceptance. When employing "less thorough", ensure clarity by specifying the basis of comparison to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "not as comprehensive" or "somewhat superficial" exist, they may convey slightly different nuances, so choose carefully based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as comprehensive

Indicates a reduced level of completeness or detail.

somewhat superficial

Suggests a lack of depth and a focus on surface-level aspects.

not very exhaustive

Implies that the examination or investigation was not complete or detailed.

relatively cursory

Describes something done quickly and without much attention to detail.

rather incomplete

Emphasizes the lack of fullness or wholeness in the process or result.

lacking in depth

Highlights the absence of detailed exploration or analysis.

more perfunctory

Suggests a routine or indifferent approach, lacking genuine effort.

less meticulous

Indicates a reduced level of precision and attention to detail.

somewhat brief

Implies a lack of thoroughness due to time constraints or a summary approach.

not as rigorous

Suggests a reduced level of strictness or thoroughness in the execution or analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "less thorough" in a sentence?

You can use "less thorough" to describe something lacking in detail or completeness, for example, "The initial investigation was "less thorough" than the subsequent one."

What are some alternatives to "less thorough"?

Alternatives include "not as comprehensive", "somewhat superficial", or "not very exhaustive", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less thorough" or should I use "fewer thorough"?

"Less thorough" is correct because "thorough" is an adjective describing a quality, not a countable noun. You would use "fewer" for countable items, not qualities.

What's the difference between "less thorough" and "more superficial"?

"Less thorough" indicates a lack of completeness or detail, while "more superficial" suggests a focus on surface-level aspects and a lack of depth. The former is about missing information, while the latter is about a shallow approach.