a thoroughgoing concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thoroughgoing concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a business or organization that is fully committed and engaged in its operations or activities. Example: "The company has proven to be a thoroughgoing concern, consistently adapting to market changes and investing in innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To take this to imply either a thoroughgoing skepticism or a thoroughgoing concern with skepticism, however, is probably too strong an inference.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The chef and owner, Louis Reda, is a thoroughgoing professional, born to the business and brought up in a kitchen.

The New York Times

"He's technically a thoroughgoing expert.

The New York Times

If you are after a thoroughgoing scholarly treatment, look elsewhere.

The Guardian - Books

Needless to say, Mellon was a thoroughgoing horse lover.

The New York Times

A thoroughgoing merger wave, however, may have to wait until 2005.

The Economist

Why would a smart, comically capable young man be such a thoroughgoing mess?

The New York Times - Books

He was a thoroughgoing republican with a deep dislike of the kaiser and all hereditary power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was, by his own lights and that of his admirers, a thoroughgoing contrarian.

The New Yorker

But "In One Person" is a thoroughgoing stretch in this direction.

The New Yorker

This background, and a naturally crabbed personality, have combined to make him a thoroughgoing misogynist.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a thoroughgoing concern" to emphasize a deep and pervasive commitment to a particular area or activity. It suggests that the commitment is not superficial but ingrained in the organization's culture.

Common error

Avoid using "a thoroughgoing concern" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formality and slightly archaic tone are better suited to professional or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thoroughgoing concern" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "thoroughgoing" modifies the noun "concern". It describes the nature or quality of the concern, indicating it is comprehensive and pervasive, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thoroughgoing concern" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a deeply and comprehensively committed entity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is considered suitable for formal writing, although less common in everyday speech. Alternatives like "dedicated organization" or "fully committed entity" may be more appropriate in informal settings. When using "a thoroughgoing concern", ensure that you aim to emphasize a deep and pervasive commitment and not a superficial one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dedicated organization

Focuses on the organization's commitment to its purpose.

a fully committed entity

Highlights the entity's complete dedication.

a highly diligent enterprise

Emphasizes the careful and persistent effort involved.

an intensely focused business

Stresses the concentration and direction of the business.

a steadfast operation

Underlines the reliability and consistency of the operation.

a conscientious company

Indicates the company's moral and ethical approach.

a scrupulous firm

Highlights the firm's attention to detail and integrity.

a meticulous establishment

Focuses on the establishment's precision and thoroughness.

an exhaustive practice

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the practice.

a comprehensive undertaking

Highlights the breadth and scope of the undertaking.

FAQs

How can I use "a thoroughgoing concern" in a sentence?

You can use "a thoroughgoing concern" to describe an organization or entity that is deeply and comprehensively committed to something. For example: "The company has proven to be "a thoroughgoing concern", consistently adapting to market changes and investing in innovation."

What are some alternatives to "a thoroughgoing concern"?

You can use alternatives like "dedicated organization", "fully committed entity", or "highly diligent enterprise" depending on the context.

What does "thoroughgoing" mean in the phrase "a thoroughgoing concern"?

In this context, "thoroughgoing" means complete, exhaustive, or pervasive. It emphasizes that the concern is not superficial but deeply ingrained and consistently applied.

Is "a thoroughgoing concern" a common phrase in modern English?

While grammatically correct, "a thoroughgoing concern" is not as frequently used as simpler alternatives. It is more common in formal or academic writing where a strong emphasis on commitment is desired.