an extensive account

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extensive account" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a detailed or thorough description or report of an event, situation, or topic. Example: "The researcher provided an extensive account of the study's findings, highlighting key trends and implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

When Kurt Cobain died, the section ran an extensive account of his life and death.

The New Yorker

It came soon after The Washington Post published an extensive account of his comments during more than 14 hours of interviews.

The Washington Post

Nevertheless, Carroll continued to argue the contrary, and published an extensive account of her spying activities in order to seek both recognition and back pay.

The New York Times

He provided an extensive account of what he knew to the London Sunday Times, which published a story, "Inside Dimona, Israel's Nuclear Bomb Factory," on Oct. 5, 1986.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hence, this chapter provides an extensive account of models of cognitive DSS for both fixed satellite services and land mobile scenarios.

Cooperative and Cognitive Satellite Systems

Perlow has now published an extensive account of her research in a new book, Sleeping with Your Smartphone, which should be required reading for any senior executive concerned about the dysfunctionality of "always-on" connectivity.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

China's National Audit Office (NAO), following directives from the national authorities in Beijing, undertook an extensive accounting and auditing of the books of all of the nation's local spending authorities.

Huffington Post

Just over a year ago, Anton R. Valukas, the bankruptcy examiner for Lehman Brothers, issued an extensive report outlining potential accounting fraud at the firm through the so-called Repo 105 transactions used before its collapse.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the gallery's space doesn't really allow for a more extensive account of his doings, especially past projects having to do with architecture.

The New York Times

He is committed to panpsychism, why not take the short step to a similarly extensive account of consciousness?

SEP

(For a more extensive account of the relationship between active and passive covariance, see the Supplementary Document: Active and Passive Covariance).[2] The exercising of this freedom is the essential manipulation of the hole argument.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an extensive account", ensure that the subsequent text delivers on the promise of thoroughness and detail. Provide specific examples, data, or evidence to support your claims.

Common error

Avoid using "an extensive account" if the actual description is brief or lacks depth. This can mislead readers and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extensive account" functions as a noun phrase, where "extensive" modifies the noun "account". Ludwig examples show it introduces detailed descriptions or analyses. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for presenting comprehensive information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an extensive account" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce detailed and thorough explanations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it promises a comprehensive treatment of a topic and is suitable for neutral and professional contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subsequent content delivers on the expectation of thoroughness. Related alternatives include "a comprehensive report" and "a detailed description". Be aware of the potential pitfall of overstating the level of detail provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive report

Replaces "account" with "report" and "extensive" with "comprehensive", emphasizing the thoroughness of the information.

a detailed description

Substitutes "extensive" with "detailed", highlighting the level of specificity in the explanation.

a thorough analysis

Changes "account" to "analysis", focusing on a detailed examination of a subject.

an in-depth study

Replaces "account" with "study" and "extensive" with "in-depth", suggesting a deep and comprehensive investigation.

a complete narrative

Substitutes "account" with "narrative" and "extensive" with "complete", emphasizing a full and detailed story.

a full exposition

Replaces "account" with "exposition", focusing on a comprehensive explanation or presentation.

a broad overview

While "broad" is not as detailed as "extensive", in certain contexts, it can convey a similarly comprehensive understanding.

a far-reaching explanation

Replaces "account" with "explanation" and "extensive" with "far-reaching", emphasizing the scope and impact of the explanation.

an exhaustive treatment

Substitutes "account" with "treatment" and "extensive" with "exhaustive", conveying the thoroughness and completeness of the coverage.

a wide-ranging discussion

Replaces "account" with "discussion" and "extensive" with "wide-ranging", emphasizing the breadth of topics covered.

FAQs

How to use "an extensive account" in a sentence?

You can use "an extensive account" to introduce a detailed description, analysis, or narrative. For example, "The historian provided "an extensive account" of the war's impact on civilian life."

What can I say instead of "an extensive account"?

You can use alternatives like "a comprehensive report", "a detailed description", or "an in-depth study" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an extensive account" or "a extensive account"?

"An extensive account" is correct. The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an extensive account" and "a brief summary"?

"An extensive account" implies a thorough and detailed explanation, while "a brief summary" suggests a concise overview without much detail.