be less thorough and

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be less thorough and" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone should reduce the level of detail or completeness in their work or approach. Example: "In this case, it might be beneficial to be less thorough and focus on the main points to save time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interviews tend to occur off the cuff and be less thorough.

Forbes

Their crimes, which both horrified and fascinated the public, raised numerous social and legal issues, such as the tendency of police to be less thorough in murder investigations when the victims were poor or of low social status.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Conversely, anonymous online surveys take less time, but may be less thorough or reliable.

Yale University

Late last year Labour used a humble address to force a vote that obliged the government to allow MPs to see what had been described as 58 papers detailing the impact of Brexit on sections of the economy – even those these turned ou't to be less thorough than billed.

The Guardian

Labour used a "humble address" to force a vote late last year that obliged the government to allow MPs to see what had been described as 58 papers detailing the impact of Brexit on sections of the economy – though they turned out to be less thorough than billed.

The Guardian

Cleanups of toxic waste dumps under the Superfund program took longer and were less thorough; polluters in minority neighborhoods paid fewer and smaller fines.

The New York Times

In animals who have had their spleens removed, the monocyte response is not observed at the site of tissue injury, and healing is less thorough.

Britannica

The axillary dissection and histologic assessment of specimens may have been less thorough.

Breast Cancer Research

But the Obama Administration's political preparations for a controversial trial were less thorough than those made by previous Administrations.

The New Yorker

But the fourth doctor, T. Burton Smith, a urologist who was the chief White House physician from January 1985 to January 1987, said he been less thorough at times in examining neurological function.

The New York Times

Other investigations have been less thorough, so while it appears that the Atlanta scandal is the most widespread, we don't really know.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be less thorough and" when you want to intentionally reduce the level of scrutiny or detail, prioritizing speed or efficiency. Ensure the context allows for this reduction without compromising essential outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "be less thorough and" when completeness is crucial. Always assess whether reducing thoroughness could lead to errors or omissions that outweigh the benefits of increased speed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be less thorough and" functions as a conjunctive phrase, often used to connect an action with a reduction in detail or effort. It suggests a deliberate choice to prioritize efficiency or speed over exhaustive completeness. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, "be less thorough and" is an uncommon phrase that suggests reducing detail or completeness in an action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's best used when prioritizing efficiency or speed over exhaustive investigation, but care should be taken to avoid compromising essential outcomes. Alternatives like "reduce detail and" or "simplify and" may offer more nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. The register is generally neutral, making it suitable for professional or general communication, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce detail and

Focuses on diminishing the level of granularity.

simplify and

Emphasizes making something easier to understand or execute.

streamline and

Highlights improving efficiency by removing unnecessary steps.

be more concise and

Focuses on brevity and clarity in communication.

make briefer and

Implies shortening the duration or length of something.

summarize and

Condenses information to its most essential points.

cut corners and

Suggests a potentially negative reduction in quality or effort.

skim over and

Suggests a superficial examination, lacking depth.

expedite and

Focuses on accelerating a process, potentially at the cost of thoroughness.

hurry and

Emphasizes speed, potentially sacrificing completeness.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be less thorough and"?

You can use alternatives like "reduce detail and", "simplify and", or "streamline and" depending on the context.

Is it ever acceptable to "be less thorough and"?

Yes, it's acceptable when prioritizing speed or efficiency is more important than absolute completeness, but always consider the potential risks.

What are the negative implications of choosing to "be less thorough and"?

The negative implications include potential errors, omissions, and a reduction in the overall quality or reliability of the work.

When should I avoid using the phrase "be less thorough and"?

Avoid using it in situations where accuracy, completeness, and attention to detail are paramount, such as in legal documents, medical diagnoses, or critical scientific research.