a thorough survey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thorough survey" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a detailed and comprehensive examination or assessment of a particular subject or area. Example: "The researchers conducted a thorough survey of the local population to gather data on their health needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Absent a thorough survey, it is difficult to measure the extent of police disaffection with Mr. Giuliani.

The New York Times

There isn't even a thorough survey of participation, so we don't know how bad things have got, she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

THESE quibbles aside, Mr. Navellier has managed to create a thorough survey of growth investing, one designed for both novices and the experienced.

The New York Times

I've since learned that, shortly after that letter, the Pentagon finished a thorough survey that included Iraqi contractors and subcontractors: the figure is actually sixty-five thousand.

The New Yorker

Various navigators traversed the area, but no systematic exploration was attempted until the British Admiralty undertook a thorough survey of the entire archipelago between 1826 and 1836.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Buying a property that could be more than 100 years old can throw up structural problems, making a thorough survey a vital part of the buying process to discover any serious defects.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Helen A. Harrison, the center's director, requested that Mr. Irgang come back with a team to carry out a more thorough survey.

The New York Times

"This is a very thorough survey," he said.

The Guardian

"Storytelling in Japanese Art" is not a historically thorough survey.

The New York Times

When more studies and with more consistent results have been performed, a more thorough survey of the literature can be done, and with clearer, more concise results.

Journal of Big Data

For a more thorough survey see the supplementary document Embedding Problem Response Strategies, which can be read in place of the remainder of section 4.1.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a research methodology, use "a thorough survey" to emphasize the comprehensive and detailed nature of the data collection and analysis process. For instance, "The study began with a thorough survey of existing literature."

Common error

Avoid using "thorough" when it's already implied by the context. For example, instead of saying "a thorough comprehensive survey", opt for just "a comprehensive survey" to maintain conciseness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thorough survey" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "thorough" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "survey". This phrase is used to describe a detailed and comprehensive examination or investigation, as evidenced by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thorough survey" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a detailed and comprehensive examination or investigation. According to Ludwig AI, it is predominantly used in science and news media contexts, and its purpose is to emphasize the rigor and completeness of the process. When using this phrase, ensure conciseness and avoid redundant adjectives. Consider alternatives like "a comprehensive assessment" or "an exhaustive study" to vary your writing. Avoid adding the word "very" before "thorough".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive assessment

Replaces "survey" with "assessment" and "thorough" with "comprehensive", emphasizing a complete evaluation.

an exhaustive study

Substitutes "survey" for "study" and "thorough" for "exhaustive", highlighting the depth of the investigation.

a detailed investigation

Uses "investigation" instead of "survey" and "detailed" instead of "thorough", focusing on the meticulous nature of the examination.

a complete examination

Replaces "survey" with "examination" and "thorough" with "complete", stressing the fullness of the review.

an in-depth analysis

Employs "analysis" in place of "survey" and "in-depth" instead of "thorough", indicating a deep and insightful evaluation.

a systematic review

Uses "review" as a substitute for "survey" and "systematic" to imply a methodical approach.

a rigorous inspection

Replaces "survey" with "inspection" and "thorough" with "rigorous", suggesting a strict and careful examination.

a meticulous evaluation

Uses "evaluation" instead of "survey" and "meticulous" instead of "thorough", emphasizing precision and attention to detail.

an all-inclusive study

Swaps "survey" with "study" and uses "all-inclusive" to convey the comprehensive nature of the research.

a wide-ranging inquiry

Replaces "survey" with "inquiry" and uses "wide-ranging" to describe the scope of the investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thorough survey" to describe a detailed and comprehensive examination. For example, "The company conducted a thorough survey to assess employee satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "a thorough survey"?

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

Is it redundant to say "a very thorough survey"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "very" with "thorough" can be redundant. "Thorough" already implies a high degree of completeness. Consider using a stronger adjective like "exhaustive" for added emphasis or simply relying on "a thorough survey".

What's the difference between "a survey" and "a thorough survey"?

A "survey" is a general method of gathering information, while "a thorough survey" implies that the information gathering was detailed, comprehensive, and carefully executed. It suggests a more in-depth and rigorous approach.