a thoroughgoing examination of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thoroughgoing examination of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a detailed and comprehensive analysis or review of a particular subject or topic. Example: "The report provides a thoroughgoing examination of the economic impacts of climate change on coastal communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If anything good can be salvaged from the unacceptable treatment of vulnerable people in custody it will come from a thoroughgoing examination of these clumsy and callous efforts to mislead the inspectorate and the wider context in which they occurred.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Arguably, Bentham's utilitarian analysis of the issues raised by the death penalty in the first of these essays stands as the most thoroughgoing examination of the question up to this time (Bedau 1983).

SEP

A genuine, thoroughgoing re-examination of the way capitalism works in the UK would extend far beyond the question of whether staff should be handed a few more shares, or supine fund managers given the right to vote down the eye-watering pay deals that few of them saw fit to oppose during the boom years.

The Guardian - Business

Nagarjuna developed his doctrine of emptiness in the Madhyamika-shastra, a thoroughgoing analysis of a wide range of topics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Founded by Daniel Blum, it was a thoroughgoing accounting of Broadway shows, out-of-town tryouts and summer stock productions.

The New York Times

A thoroughgoing example of abstraction is "White Relief," by McLean Pierce of Wayne.

The New York Times

Apparently inspired by a common awareness of the needs of the state, they ended the debilitating intrigues and embarked upon a thoroughgoing program of reform.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After a thoroughgoing review of these attempts in late 2014, this year's season carried with it a sense of added pressure.

The Guardian

More generally, it recognised that the state needed to be radically trimmed and set about a thoroughgoing reform of education, welfare, policing, pensions and much more besides.

The Economist

Geoff Harris Warwick    You argue in today's editorial (3 February) for our continued membership of the EU but point out that the EU needs a "thoroughgoing programme of reform".

Independent

My house was intact, untouched, and yet here was something else altogether, a thoroughgoing denial of the familiar.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thoroughgoing examination of", ensure that the subsequent analysis or review is indeed comprehensive and covers all relevant aspects of the subject matter. It sets an expectation of depth and completeness.

Common error

Avoid using "a thoroughgoing examination of" if the analysis is only superficial or incomplete. This phrase implies a high level of detail and comprehensiveness, and using it inappropriately can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thoroughgoing examination of" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a detailed and comprehensive analysis or review. It sets the expectation that the following discussion will be in-depth and exhaustive. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thoroughgoing examination of" is a noun phrase used to introduce a comprehensive and detailed analysis or review. As verified by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and best suited for formal, academic, or scientific writing. While less common in informal contexts, it sets a clear expectation of depth and completeness. Related phrases include "a comprehensive analysis of" and "an in-depth investigation into". When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent analysis lives up to the implied level of detail to avoid misleading the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive analysis of

Emphasizes the completeness and breadth of the analysis.

an in-depth investigation into

Highlights the depth and intensity of the investigation.

a detailed review of

Focuses on the meticulous and itemized nature of the review.

a complete assessment of

Stresses the totality and scope of the assessment.

a rigorous study of

Emphasizes the strict and methodical nature of the study.

an exhaustive exploration of

Highlights the comprehensive and far-reaching nature of the exploration.

a meticulous inspection of

Focuses on the careful and precise nature of the inspection.

a painstaking scrutiny of

Stresses the diligent and attentive nature of the scrutiny.

a systematic appraisal of

Emphasizes the methodical and organized nature of the appraisal.

a comprehensive survey of

Highlights the wide-ranging and inclusive nature of the survey.

FAQs

How can I use "a thoroughgoing examination of" in a sentence?

You can use "a thoroughgoing examination of" to introduce a comprehensive analysis or review. For example: "The report provides "a thoroughgoing examination of" the economic impacts of climate change".

What are some alternatives to "a thoroughgoing examination of"?

Alternatives include "a comprehensive analysis of", "an in-depth investigation into", or "a detailed review of", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

What does "thoroughgoing" mean in the context of "a thoroughgoing examination of"?

In this context, "thoroughgoing" means comprehensive, complete, and exhaustive. It emphasizes that the examination is not superficial but delves deeply into all relevant aspects of the subject matter.

Is it appropriate to use "a thoroughgoing examination of" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a thoroughgoing examination of" is more suited for formal or academic writing due to its sophisticated and precise nature. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "a close look at" or "a detailed review of" may be more appropriate.