a thorough and comprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

"a thorough and comprehensive" is a perfectly acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is very detailed and comprehensive, or something that has been carried out very thoroughly. For example: "The research conducted by the team was a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A thorough and comprehensive study of the main differences between both approaches is presented.

Interacting with Computers

Mr. Crist said the allegations were disturbing but expressed confidence that the department would "conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation".

The New York Times

Despite Obama's promises of a "thorough and comprehensive" review of his team's contacts with the governor, today's report was expected to leave some questions unanswered.

The Guardian

"The family has been deeply engaged in a thorough and comprehensive analysis of this, and to this day we haven't yet found an accepted answer".

The New York Times

Russian expert Alina Polyakova of the Brookings Institution likewise tells me, "This report is a thorough and comprehensive view of Russia's decades-long political warfare against the West.

The Washington Post

It says the committee wants to see "a thorough and comprehensive plan that outlines the merits, costs, and risks associated with utilizing such a facility.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The statement added, "We are also insisting that this stoppage remain in full effect pending a complete, thorough and comprehensive investigation".

The New York Times

If at the end of a serious, thorough and comprehensive attempt to improve their life we have still not made living acceptable to them, we need to allow assistance to die.

Independent

In a sign of the battle to come, Anne Bouverot, the director general of the GSMA, a telecommunications industry group, said Wednesday in a statement that the focus of an overhaul should be "increased investment in Europe's telecoms infrastructure" as part of a "more thorough and comprehensive approach".

The New York Times

In addition, in order to fill up the gap of the review conducted by Melby-Lervag and Lervag in 2011 in which they examined cross-linguistic transfer of phonological awareness, oral language, and decoding, we also included morphological awareness in our review to investigate the relationship between Chinese and English in a more thorough and comprehensive perspective.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Rather, individuals who evidence impairment should be provided a more thorough and comprehensive assessment than can be obtained through screening tools.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thorough and comprehensive" to describe a process, ensure that the subsequent description provides evidence of both thoroughness (attention to detail) and comprehensiveness (broad coverage).

Common error

Avoid using "a thorough and comprehensive" to describe something that only covers a limited aspect of a topic. Ensure the scope of what you are describing genuinely warrants such a strong characterization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thorough and comprehensive" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It is used to describe a noun, emphasizing the level of detail and the all-encompassing nature of the subject it modifies. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in describing investigations, analyses, and reviews.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thorough and comprehensive" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase in English, functioning as an adjective phrase to emphasize detail and completeness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for describing investigations, analyses, and reviews across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When employing this phrase, ensure the described subject genuinely warrants such a strong characterization, avoiding overstatement. Consider alternatives like "a detailed and complete" or "an exhaustive and inclusive" to adjust the nuance. With careful application, this phrase effectively conveys meticulous attention to detail and broad coverage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete and thorough

Swaps the order of the adjectives but maintains the core meaning of completeness and thoroughness.

a detailed and complete

Focuses on the detail and completeness, similar to "a thorough and comprehensive" but with a slightly different emphasis.

an exhaustive and inclusive

Emphasizes the exhaustive and inclusive nature of something, highlighting its broad scope.

a meticulous and thorough

Highlights the meticulous aspect, indicating careful attention to detail alongside thoroughness.

a comprehensive and in-depth

Focuses on the depth of the analysis or review, adding an extra layer of detail.

a holistic and comprehensive

Emphasizes a focus on the whole picture and all its interconnected aspects.

a far-reaching and comprehensive

Emphasizes the broad scope and reach of something, indicating its wide impact.

a sweeping and thorough

Suggests a wide-ranging approach that covers all aspects in a thorough manner.

a painstaking and detailed

Highlights the effort and detail involved, emphasizing the careful process.

a scrupulous and exhaustive

Highlights the scrupulous nature, suggesting a rigorous and exhaustive approach.

FAQs

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

This phrase is typically used to describe an investigation, analysis, or review. For example, "The team conducted "a thorough and comprehensive" investigation into the matter".

What are some alternatives to saying "a thorough and comprehensive"?

You can use alternatives such as "a detailed and complete", "an exhaustive and inclusive", or "a meticulous and thorough".

Is there a difference between "a thorough and comprehensive" and "a complete and thorough"?

While both phrases emphasize detail and completeness, "a thorough and comprehensive" suggests a wider scope and more all-encompassing approach than "a complete and thorough".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a thorough and comprehensive"?

Use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something has been examined or addressed with great care and attention to all relevant aspects. It's suitable for describing studies, reports, and investigations that aim for completeness.