an extensive study

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extensive study" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a research project or analysis that covers a wide range of information or is thorough in its examination. Example: "The researchers conducted an extensive study on the effects of climate change on marine life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

On June 30, Harvard University Press published an extensive study by Professor Hamburger, straightforwardly titled "Separation of Church and State".

The New York Times

He made an extensive study of the distribution of plants in that area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scientific studies, including an extensive study in Denmark, have shown no causal link between the vaccine preservative thimerosal and the incidence of autism.

The New York Times

Other Information on the Web: "Ice Age Floods" ( //www.nps.gov/iceagefloods/d.htm) from the National Park Service provides photographs and an extensive study of the ice age floods.

The New York Times

Consider an extensive study of 153 major investment newsletters conducted by Andrew Metrick, a finance professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

Mr. Tyler, the Setauket historian, said that Mr. Locke made an extensive study of Setauket history before putting brush to canvas.

The New York Times

And an extensive study of packing-house workers conducted by the University of Iowa in 2008 suggested that the number of injuries may be significantly under-reported.

The Guardian

Toward the end of Nan Keohane's tenure as president, the school undertook an extensive study examining the lives of women at Duke.

The New Yorker

She was not involved in the discovery but has made an extensive study of the dark skin-vitamin relationship in modern humans.

The New York Times - Science

In Central Africa, an extensive study estimates a 62 percent decline in forest elephants between 2002 and 2011.

Independent

We refer to [14] for an extensive study on the existence and uniqueness of solutions.

Mathematical Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an extensive study", ensure that the scope and depth of the research justify the adjective "extensive". Avoid using it for preliminary or superficial investigations.

Common error

Avoid using "an extensive study" to describe work that is still in its early stages or lacks a significant sample size. Be sure the study justifies the claim of being 'extensive'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extensive study" functions as a noun phrase, where "extensive" modifies the noun "study". Ludwig examples confirm its use to describe thorough research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an extensive study" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe research or analysis that is thorough and comprehensive. As noted by Ludwig, it's frequently found in scientific and news media contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure the study's depth warrants the "extensive" descriptor. Alternatives include "a comprehensive analysis" or "a thorough investigation". Be mindful of overstating the scope of research still in its preliminary stages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive analysis

Replaces "study" with "analysis", suggesting a detailed examination of the subject.

a thorough investigation

Substitutes "study" with "investigation", emphasizing the investigative nature of the work.

an in-depth exploration

Replaces "study" with "exploration", highlighting the exploratory and detailed aspect.

a detailed examination

Focuses on the level of detail in the examination, similar to an extensive study.

a wide-ranging survey

Emphasizes the breadth of the study or survey.

a complete assessment

Highlights the completeness of the evaluation.

a far-reaching inquiry

Suggests the scope and impact of the inquiry or study.

an exhaustive review

Emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the review.

a profound analysis

Highlights the depth and insightfulness of the analysis.

a systematic overview

Focuses on the organized and methodical nature of the overview.

FAQs

What does "an extensive study" mean?

The phrase "an extensive study" refers to a research project or analysis that covers a wide range of information and examines a subject thoroughly and in great detail.

How can I use "an extensive study" in a sentence?

You might say, "The researchers conducted "an extensive study" on the effects of pollution on urban wildlife", indicating a comprehensive investigation.

What are some alternatives to "an extensive study"?

Consider using phrases such as "a comprehensive analysis", "a thorough investigation", or "an in-depth exploration" as alternatives to "an extensive study".

Is there a difference between "an extensive study" and "a brief overview"?

Yes. "An extensive study" implies a detailed and thorough examination, while "a brief overview" suggests only a superficial or introductory look at the subject.