a thorough investigation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thorough investigation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of examining or analyzing something in detail, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The committee conducted a thorough investigation of the allegations to ensure transparency and accountability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ms. Banerjee pledged a thorough investigation of the fire.

The New York Times

"We take them very seriously, and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations.

The New York Times

A spokesman says: "We have carried out a thorough investigation of this fire.

The Guardian - Money

If true, this alone would seem to justify a thorough investigation of the case.

The New York Times

The results ultimately proved dispiriting to those who hoped for a thorough investigation of the police.

The New York Times

Amazon confirmed it was conducting a "thorough investigation" of the claims.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Halter proposed a thorough investigation of the two main gestores.

The New York Times

The great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 precipitated a thorough investigation of the California Coast Ranges.

Britannica

In Moscow, Russian lawmakers promised a thorough investigation of the crash.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The secret service spokesman said a thorough investigation of the incident would be carried out.

The Guardian

We're conducting a thorough investigation of related activity to understand whether any accounts were improperly accessed.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thorough investigation of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being investigated and the purpose of the investigation.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is conducting the investigation. Instead of "A thorough investigation of the matter was conducted", specify who conducted it: "The authorities conducted a thorough investigation of the matter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thorough investigation of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the act of examining something in a detailed and comprehensive manner. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it's used in contexts like "conducting a thorough investigation".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thorough investigation of" is a noun phrase used to describe a detailed and comprehensive examination of something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common across a variety of sources, especially in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about what is being investigated and consider avoiding passive voice to specify who is conducting the investigation. Related phrases such as "a comprehensive examination of" or "an in-depth analysis of" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive examination of

Emphasizes the completeness and detail of the examination.

an in-depth analysis of

Highlights the depth and detail of the analytical process.

a detailed inquiry into

Focuses on the inquisitorial nature and attention to specifics.

a complete review of

Suggests a comprehensive and exhaustive overview.

a meticulous study of

Emphasizes the precision and care taken in the study.

a forensic examination of

Implies a scientific and methodical approach.

a rigorous assessment of

Highlights the strictness and thoroughness of the assessment.

a root and branch investigation of

Suggests a very detailed investigation, looking at every aspect

a deep dive into

Informal phrase meaning a detailed exploration.

a scrutiny of

Highlights the critical and detailed examination.

FAQs

How can I use "a thorough investigation of" in a sentence?

You can use "a thorough investigation of" to describe a detailed examination of something, as in "The company promised "a thorough investigation of" the incident".

What phrases are similar to "a thorough investigation of"?

Similar phrases include "a comprehensive examination of", "an in-depth analysis of", or "a detailed inquiry into".

What makes an investigation "thorough"?

A "thorough" investigation implies that all relevant aspects are examined carefully, no stone is left unturned, and the process is detailed and comprehensive.

Is it better to say "thorough investigation of" or "investigation into"?

While "investigation into" is grammatically correct, "a thorough investigation of" emphasizes the depth and detail of the investigative process, making it suitable when you want to highlight the comprehensiveness of the inquiry.