a thorough study

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a thorough study' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who has undertaken a lot of research or preparation before attempting a task. For example: "John conducted a thorough study before deciding to invest in the new company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Part of this reorientation was a thorough study of ancient Armenian music.

The New York Times - Arts

Lan asked him if he was interested in conducting a thorough study, and Bredekamp said yes.

The New Yorker

But maybe it's time for someone to do a thorough study.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meyer's panel made a thorough study of the financial condition of the steel man facturers.

The New Yorker

Having resisted the role for so long, Sarsgaard made a thorough study of it.

The Guardian

A thorough study of the medieval period would greatly enrich the discussion of current questions.

Britannica

A thorough study of the regulation of Aurora-B kinase activity by INCENP and survivin.

Nature

In 1994 he started a thorough study on the state of the Earth sponsored by UNESCO.

Stanford University

A thorough study would be needed to determine the stresses that pinned ice shelves can sustain before they fracture.

Nature

So he undertook a thorough study of all the major Buddhist schools existing in Japan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A thorough study of the boundedness properties of the Green operator is made in dimension 1.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thorough study", ensure that the context clearly indicates the scope and depth of the investigation or analysis being described. Be specific about the methods used and the areas covered to reinforce the idea of comprehensiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "a thorough study" if the investigation was limited in scope or methodology. Using the phrase inaccurately can undermine credibility. Opt for more modest descriptions like "a preliminary analysis" or "an initial investigation" if the study was not truly exhaustive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thorough study" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "conducted a thorough study") or the complement of a preposition (e.g., "based on a thorough study"). It describes the act of investigating a topic completely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thorough study" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies a detailed and comprehensive investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in varied contexts, notably science, news, and encyclopedias. Its function is to highlight the depth of analysis conducted on a subject. Related phrases include "an exhaustive investigation" and "an in-depth analysis". When utilizing this phrase, ensure the study warrants the description by being truly comprehensive in scope and methodology. Remember to avoid overstating the thoroughness if the study has limitations. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's widespread use, reinforcing its versatility and appropriateness in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exhaustive investigation

Replaces "study" with "investigation" and "thorough" with "exhaustive" emphasizing comprehensiveness.

an in-depth analysis

Replaces "study" with "analysis" and "thorough" with "in-depth", focusing on the level of detail.

a comprehensive examination

Replaces "study" with "examination" and "thorough" with "comprehensive", stressing the broad scope.

a detailed assessment

Replaces "study" with "assessment" and "thorough" with "detailed", highlighting the level of specificity.

a meticulous review

Replaces "study" with "review" and "thorough" with "meticulous", emphasizing careful attention to detail.

a complete evaluation

Replaces "study" with "evaluation" and "thorough" with "complete", focusing on the all-encompassing nature of the assessment.

a full investigation

Replaces "thorough" with "full", offering a simpler alternative while maintaining the sense of completeness.

an intensive review

Replaces "thorough" with "intensive", highlighting the focused and concentrated nature of the review.

a rigorous analysis

Replaces "thorough" with "rigorous", emphasizing the strict and methodical nature of the analysis.

a profound exploration

Replaces "study" with "exploration" and "thorough" with "profound", suggesting a deep and insightful investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thorough study" to describe a comprehensive investigation. For example, "The committee conducted "a thorough study" of the environmental impact before approving the project."

What are some synonyms for "a thorough study"?

Alternatives to "a thorough study" include "an exhaustive investigation", "an in-depth analysis", or "a comprehensive examination", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a thorough study" in informal writing?

While "a thorough study" is generally suitable for formal and academic contexts, it can also be used in neutral writing. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "a careful look" or "a detailed check" might be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "a thorough study" from "a quick review"?

"A thorough study" implies an extensive and detailed investigation, whereas "a quick review" suggests a brief and superficial examination. The former involves a deeper level of analysis and a broader scope than the latter.