are exhaustive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are exhaustive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a list or set of items that is complete and covers all possibilities. Example: "The guidelines provided in the report are exhaustive, leaving no room for ambiguity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Their waste-avoiding initiatives are exhaustive and startling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The reports on the hotels themselves are exhaustive, running to over 2,000 words each.

The Guardian - Travel

Police background checks are exhaustive and even extend to the gun owners' relatives.

The Guardian

There are exhaustive databases that contain all those facts that we used to memorize.

The New York Times

The portraits that emerge are exhaustive and often severe, but there is something delicate in Samuels's method.

The New York Times - Books

Current criteria are exhaustive and require big efforts to be applied.

Procedia Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Attempts at being exhaustive proved exhausting.

The Guardian - Music

The couple's inquiries were exhaustive and exhausting.

The Guardian - Books

MacIsaac's list of transgressions is exhaustive, and exhausting.

The New Yorker

Because the list is as exhausting as it is exhaustive.

Huffington Post

The list is exhaustive, the tour of them exhausting.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are exhaustive" to emphasize that a list, study, or analysis is complete and includes all possible elements or considerations. This is particularly effective in academic, scientific, and formal contexts where thoroughness is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "are exhaustive" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "cover everything" or "are complete" are often more appropriate and sound less pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are exhaustive" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun (often a list, study, or analysis) to indicate its completeness and thoroughness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that includes every possible element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are exhaustive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of a subject. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates that all possible elements or considerations are included. Primarily found in formal contexts such as science, news, and academia, its use assures the audience that a topic has been fully explored. While simpler alternatives like "are comprehensive" or "are complete" exist, "are exhaustive" provides a stronger emphasis on meticulous detail. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations where conveying a high degree of thoroughness is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are comprehensive

Emphasizes the inclusion of all relevant details or aspects.

are all-inclusive

Highlights that everything is included without exceptions.

are thorough

Focuses on the meticulous and detailed nature of the coverage.

are complete

Indicates that nothing is missing or left out.

cover everything

A more direct way of saying that all aspects are addressed.

leave no stone unturned

Idiomatic expression meaning every possibility has been explored.

are wide-ranging

Suggests an extensive scope or coverage.

are extensive

Indicates a broad and thorough coverage.

are painstaking

Highlights the careful and detailed effort involved.

are in-depth

Focuses on the detailed and profound analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "are exhaustive" in a sentence?

You can use "are exhaustive" to describe a list, study, or analysis that is complete and includes all possible elements. For example, "The background checks "are exhaustive" and even extend to gun owners' relatives".

What can I say instead of "are exhaustive"?

Alternatives include "are comprehensive", "are thorough", or "are complete", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of completeness.

Which is correct, "are exhaustive" or "is exhaustive"?

"Are exhaustive" is used when referring to plural subjects, while "is exhaustive" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The lists are exhaustive," but "The list is exhaustive."

What's the difference between "are exhaustive" and "are comprehensive"?

While both imply completeness, "are exhaustive" suggests a more meticulous and detailed approach, leaving no possibility unexplored. "Are comprehensive" focuses more on including all relevant information or aspects, rather than an extreme level of detail.