concise but thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concise but thorough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a communication style that is clear and to the point while still covering all necessary details. Example: "The report was concise but thorough, providing all the essential information without unnecessary fluff."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The review is tailored to small animal practitioners, especially in emergency practice, and is designed to provide concise but thorough descriptions on investigating underlying causes of hyphema and treating accordingly.

Topics in Companion Animal Medicine

While the subject of CRISPR systems and Cas9-mediated genome engineering is large enough for entire review articles, we have done our best to provide a concise but thorough explanation in a new section at the end of the Introduction.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is stop-start, but thorough.

The Guardian - Sport

Burgess was not only fearless, but thorough.

The Guardian

(Though perhaps this is not surprising, given that he worked on abduction throughout his career, which spanned a period of more than fifty years. For a concise yet thorough account of the development of Peirce's thoughts about abduction, see Fann 1970).

SEP

I'll try to be concise, yet thorough.

Huffington Post

7. Be brief but thorough.

Huffington Post

We're nothing but thorough here.

Vice

Existing practices used by current registries for questioning of patients about analgesic use and working status were reviewed, and the approach used by the international Spine Tango registry was felt to be the most concise and thorough (Röder et al. 2005); the wording was modified slightly by the working group.

Acta Orthopaedica

Be selective but thorough.

WikiHow

Concise, but slightly incomplete.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for "concise but thorough" writing, begin by outlining all essential points to ensure thoroughness, then refine each point to its most concise form.

Common error

Avoid cutting essential details in an attempt to be concise. Ensure your message remains thorough and informative, even as you strive for brevity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concise but thorough" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a piece of writing, an explanation, or any form of communication. It emphasizes the dual qualities of brevity and completeness. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to indicate something is brief yet covers all necessary information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "concise but thorough" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is brief yet comprehensive. Although Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its frequency is relatively rare. As an adjectival modifier, it is mostly encountered in news, media and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When employing this phrase, it's vital to balance brevity with completeness, avoiding the omission of key details. Alternatives like "brief yet comprehensive" or "succinct yet detailed" can be used to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief yet comprehensive

Replaces "concise" with "brief" and "thorough" with "comprehensive" for a slightly more formal tone.

succinct yet detailed

Substitutes "concise" with "succinct" and "thorough" with "detailed", maintaining the core meaning.

short but complete

Uses simpler language, replacing "concise" with "short" and "thorough" with "complete".

brief but exhaustive

Replaces "concise" with brief and "thorough" with exhaustive.

pithy but exhaustive

Employs more sophisticated vocabulary, with "pithy" for "concise" and "exhaustive" for "thorough".

compact yet extensive

Offers a slightly different nuance, focusing on the amount of information conveyed in a limited space.

terse but comprehensive

Uses "terse" to emphasize brevity more strongly than "concise".

laconic but detailed

Features a more formal and literary tone with "laconic".

to the point yet detailed

Highlights directness alongside thoroughness.

abridged yet full

Emphasizes reduction in length without sacrificing content.

FAQs

How can I use "concise but thorough" in a sentence?

You can use "concise but thorough" to describe a report, explanation, or summary that is both brief and comprehensive. For example, "The report was "concise but thorough", covering all key aspects of the project".

What is a good alternative to "concise but thorough"?

Alternatives include "brief yet comprehensive", "succinct yet detailed", or "short but complete", depending on the desired tone and context.

Is it better to be "concise but thorough" or detailed but lengthy?

The ideal approach depends on the audience and purpose. Aim for "concise but thorough" when time is limited or the audience prefers brevity. Opt for detailed but lengthy when comprehensive understanding is crucial and time constraints are less significant.

How do I balance being "concise but thorough" in technical writing?

In technical writing, be "concise but thorough" by using precise language, avoiding jargon when possible, and providing essential details without unnecessary elaboration. Focus on clarity and accuracy.