a thorough breakdown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thorough breakdown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe a detailed analysis or explanation of a subject or topic. Example: "The report provides a thorough breakdown of the company's financial performance over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He gave the team a thorough breakdown of each Sonics player, from his informal scouting while living in Seattle.

The New York Times - Sports

After making a thorough breakdown of the categories of guests, he rounds up some of his students to make a preliminary analysis, focusing on the predicaments that face every partygoer.

The New York Times - Magazine

Liviu Bird has a thorough breakdown of the numbers on SB Nation, and his colleague Jeremiah Oshan pointed out on Twitter that total compensation was down (to $89 million from $99 million), average salary was down (to $160,000 from $179,000) but that the median salary was up ($89,000, from $85,000).

The New York Times

The Young Invincibles have a thorough breakdown of what to look for in a plan, alternative options and general advice on SHIPs.

Huffington Post

Meyers provided a thorough breakdown of how the conservative right used fear-based campaigning, like cartoon advertising, to cause anxiety in voters and ultimately defeat the ordinance.

Huffington Post

Without getting stuck in the weeds about why Frum thought the photo was in some way staged (BagNews has a thorough breakdown here that pretty much crushes his argument), let's just say that reaction to his comments has not been kind.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

| Updates | Politico has a pretty thorough breakdown of anticipated components of the president's climate plan, including a substantial expansion of renewable energy development on public lands.

The New York Times

PolitiFact reporters, researchers and editors grade each statement as true, mostly true, half true, mostly false, false or "pants on fire" (the scale is pretty self-explanatory, but here is a more thorough breakdown of what each grade means).

The New York Times

No, I told my wife, that would take far too long to explain, and in any case if readers were curious they could read it for themselves in the book of Genesis, which gives a very thorough breakdown of this and many other anecdotes from the life of Phil Collins.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For more on Moranis, including a pretty thorough breakdown of his recent history, it's highly advised that you check out Zach Dionne's piece at Vulture.

Huffington Post

Better GO annotation would provide a more thorough breakdown of protein and cellular component affinity to DDF fraction.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thorough breakdown", ensure that the subsequent explanation or analysis lives up to the expectation of being detailed and comprehensive. Avoid using the phrase if the breakdown is superficial.

Common error

While "a thorough breakdown" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations. In informal settings, simpler terms like "detailed explanation" or "full rundown" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thorough breakdown" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as an object or complement, describing the act of analyzing something in detail. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a detailed analysis or explanation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thorough breakdown" is a noun phrase used to describe a detailed and comprehensive analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for describing in-depth explanations. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards formal usage and is frequently found in news, media, and wiki contexts. Alternative phrases include "a detailed analysis" and "an in-depth examination". When using this phrase, ensure the subsequent analysis is indeed detailed and comprehensive to meet the implied expectation. While generally acceptable, in more casual conversations, simpler terms might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a detailed analysis

This alternative uses a more common term, "analysis", to emphasize the process of breaking down information.

an in-depth examination

This alternative highlights the depth and intensity of the investigation or review.

a comprehensive assessment

This alternative emphasizes the completeness and scope of the evaluation.

a complete dissection

This alternative suggests a more rigorous and analytical approach to understanding the subject.

a meticulous investigation

This alternative focuses on the care and precision taken in the examination.

a full account

This alternative implies a comprehensive and descriptive explanation of the subject matter.

an exhaustive study

This alternative underlines the extensiveness and thoroughness of the research.

a rigorous exploration

This alternative suggests a methodical and thorough investigation.

a painstaking review

This alternative emphasizes the care and diligence involved in the assessment.

a granular inspection

This alternative indicates the analysis is at a very fine level of detail.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thorough breakdown" to describe a detailed analysis of a complex topic. For example, "The analyst provided "a thorough breakdown" of the company's financial statements".

What are some alternatives to saying "a thorough breakdown"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a detailed analysis", "an in-depth examination", or "a comprehensive assessment".

Is "a thorough breakdown" formal or informal?

"A thorough breakdown" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans towards the formal side. In very casual settings, a simpler phrase might be preferred.

What makes "a thorough breakdown" different from "a simple explanation"?

"A thorough breakdown" implies a much more detailed and comprehensive analysis than "a simple explanation". It suggests that the topic has been carefully examined and broken down into smaller, more understandable parts.