a thorough probe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thorough probe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an in-depth investigation or examination of a subject or issue. Example: "The committee conducted a thorough probe into the allegations of misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Krasnodar region governor Alexander Tkachev promised to conduct a "thorough probe" into the incident and prosecute the attackers.

The Guardian - Music

The integrity of the committee's work is now at stake, and its members owe themselves and the public nothing less than a thorough probe.

The Washington Post

Harlow MP Robert Halfon, who has campaigned for three years on fuel prices and allegations of oil cartels, said despite the Commons unanimously calling for a thorough probe into petrol pricing, it could be a "national scandal" if the regulator failed to spot any of the allegations currently under review.

Independent

A thorough probe would likely take more than a year.

Huffington Post

PPP senior leader Jehangir Badar demanded a thorough probe into the circumstances of the murder and called for calm.

Huffington Post

Milley said there was "no indication" of terrorism and promised a thorough probe of the shooter's background and combat experience.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A thorough probing of a facility's policies on rules for re-entry is critical.

The New York Times

But instead of such a thorough probing, which might detect minute irregularities of no medical significance, many cancer institutions now recommend a less formal process called "breast self-awareness".

The New York Times

Their legal council, David Wood, welcomes the probe as a "thorough investigation is necessary to determine the workings of Google's black box".

TechCrunch

Therefore a thorough investigation was carried out to check regression assumptions for a selection of probes.

BMC Genomics

They've demanded a thorough investigation to examine the possibility of foul play, and the FBI has joined the Texas Rangers in a probe into Bland's death.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thorough probe", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being investigated or examined. For example: "The audit committee launched "a thorough probe" into the company's financial records."

Common error

While "a thorough probe" is appropriate in formal and professional settings, consider using less formal alternatives like "a good look" or "a close check" in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thorough probe" functions as a noun phrase, where 'thorough' modifies 'probe.' It typically serves as the object of a verb, indicating the subject of an action, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thorough probe" is a noun phrase used to describe a detailed and comprehensive investigation. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal and professional contexts. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively communicates the depth and rigor of an inquiry. Alternative phrases include "a comprehensive investigation" or "a detailed inquiry". When using "a thorough probe", ensure the context is appropriate and consider less formal options for casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive investigation

Emphasizes the broad scope and completeness of the investigation.

a detailed inquiry

Highlights the meticulous and in-depth nature of the inquiry.

an exhaustive examination

Stresses the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the examination.

a complete review

Focuses on the all-encompassing nature of the review.

a rigorous analysis

Highlights the strict and methodical nature of the analysis.

an in-depth study

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the study.

a full audit

Highlights the thoroughness and completeness of the audit.

a forensic analysis

Highlights that the analysis is related to legal evidence.

a meticulous inspection

Emphasizes the careful attention to detail in the inspection.

a systematic review

Highlights the methodical approach to the review.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thorough probe" to describe a detailed and comprehensive investigation. For example, "The authorities promised "a thorough search" of the area" or "The committee initiated "a thorough investigation" into the matter".

What's the difference between "a thorough probe" and "a cursory investigation"?

"A thorough probe" implies an in-depth and comprehensive examination, while "a cursory investigation" suggests a quick and superficial review.

What can I say instead of "a thorough probe"?

You can use alternatives like "a comprehensive investigation", "a detailed inquiry", or "an exhaustive examination", depending on the context.

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

The phrase "a thorough probe" is suitable in formal contexts such as news reports, legal documents, and academic papers where a detailed and comprehensive investigation is being described.