a comprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comprehensive" is correct and usable in written English and can be used to describe something that is thorough, extensive, and complete.
For example: "The professor gave a comprehensive lecture on medieval history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(A comprehensive one).

The New Yorker

I want a comprehensive deal.

The New York Times

"We conducted a comprehensive review.

Independent

It's a comprehensive biography.

The Guardian - Film

He attended a comprehensive.

The Guardian

A comprehensive boy.

The Guardian - Books

This will provide a comprehensive overview".

Independent

His earlier education was at a comprehensive.

Independent

He has published a comprehensive restructuring plan.

The Economist

Mr. Fabian maintains a comprehensive database.

The New York Times

A comprehensive survey of the damage began.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and detail in your writing, consider using "a comprehensive" to signal thoroughness and attention to all relevant aspects. This is especially useful in reports, analyses, and studies.

Common error

Avoid using "a comprehensive" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler words like "thorough" or "complete" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a comprehensive" typically functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate thoroughness, completeness, and wide scope. Ludwig examples show it used to describe reports, plans, reviews and strategies. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a comprehensive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that signifies thoroughness and completeness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal, neutral, and professional contexts, predominantly appearing in news, scientific and business-related content. To ensure effective communication, reserve its usage for writing that requires a detailed and all-encompassing description, and avoid using it in everyday informal conversations. Be aware of the semantic nuances of similar phrases, such as "a thorough" or "an exhaustive", to achieve accuracy. The phrase’s high frequency and consistent application across reputable sources underscore its value in formal English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a thorough

Emphasizes detail and carefulness in covering all aspects.

an exhaustive

Implies that every possible aspect has been investigated.

a complete

Focuses on the inclusion of all necessary parts or elements.

an in-depth

Highlights the level of detail and analysis provided.

a detailed

Stresses the presence of many specific facts and figures.

a wide-ranging

Suggests a broad scope covering many different topics.

a far-reaching

Implies broad scope and significant impact or consequences.

an all-inclusive

Indicates that everything is included, leaving nothing out.

a holistic

Focuses on the interconnectedness of elements within a system.

a sweeping

Suggests something that covers a large area or range of things.

FAQs

How can I use "a comprehensive" in a sentence?

You can use "a comprehensive" to describe something that is thorough and complete. For example, "The report provided "a comprehensive" overview of the company's finances."

What are some alternatives to "a comprehensive"?

Alternatives include "a thorough", "an exhaustive", or "a complete depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is it better to use "a comprehensive" or "comprehensive"?

The use of "a" depends on the context. "Comprehensive" is an adjective, so it needs an article (a, an, the) or a possessive pronoun (my, his, her) before it when used to modify a singular noun. For example, "a comprehensive study" is correct, while "comprehensive study" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts.

What's the difference between "a comprehensive" and "a complete"?

"A comprehensive" implies a wide scope and thoroughness, while "a complete" suggests that nothing is missing. While they can be similar, "a comprehensive" often suggests more depth and detail than "a complete".