how thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

"how thorough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the degree to which something is done or looked into. For example, "I was impressed with how thorough the investigation was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was never clear just how thorough a study had produced that opinion.

The New York Times

NATO's incuriosity about the many lethal accidents raises questions about how thorough that review will be.

The New York Times

But it was unclear then just how thorough an overhaul his firm would undertake.

The New York Times

The Jets were most impressed with how thorough Ryan was during the interview.

The New York Times - Sports

The government's plan is to have those athletes describe how thorough Anderson was in helping them use performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

"Angels" (1921, 1940) and "Evocations" (reworked in 1954) are included in alternative scorings showing how thorough his revisions could be.

The New York Times - Arts

We've been following his training and know how thorough it is, so we don't have any fears.

The Guardian

Their lie detector tests are used to assess how thorough the examination of a suspects' computer should be.

The Guardian

"In hindsight, questions are raised as to how thorough a review of the home the worker conducted," he said.

The New York Times

No part of our government is immune to such treachery, no matter how thorough an organization's security and vetting procedures.

The New York Times

So once again the question was raised: how thorough are the background checks into the "real people" on reality shows?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how thorough" to directly question or describe the level of detail and completeness in an action or investigation. For example, "Consider how thorough the background checks truly were."

Common error

Avoid assuming that something described as "thorough" is necessarily effective or accurate. "How thorough" only addresses the extent of the effort, not its quality or outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how thorough" typically functions as an interrogative adverbial within a clause, modifying a verb or adjective to inquire about or describe the degree of completeness or detail. It's used to question or comment on the extent to which something has been done, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how thorough" is a grammatically sound phrase used to question or describe the completeness and detail of a process or action. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. This phrase sees frequent use in News & Media and Science, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using "how thorough", remember that it focuses on the extent of effort, not necessarily the quality or effectiveness of the outcome. Consider alternatives like "to what extent" or "how detailed" to fine-tune your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the degree of thoroughness

Rephrases the concept as a noun phrase, emphasizing the level of completeness.

the extent of completeness

Similar to "the degree of thoroughness", but focuses on the completeness aspect.

how exhaustive

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of a process or investigation.

how comprehensive

Like "how exhaustive", stresses the all-encompassing nature of something.

how detailed

Underscores the level of information and specifics provided.

how complete

Highlights the finished or all-inclusive nature of something.

how meticulous

Stresses the precision and attention to detail involved.

the depth of the analysis

Highlights the profoundness and intensity of the examination.

to what extent

Focuses on the degree or range of something rather than its completeness.

how scrupulous

Implies a high level of moral or ethical attentiveness in the process.

FAQs

How can I use "how thorough" in a sentence?

You can use "how thorough" to inquire about or describe the degree of completeness or detail involved in a process or investigation. For example, "The report details "how thorough" the investigation was."

What are some alternatives to using "how thorough"?

Alternatives include "to what extent", "how exhaustive", or "how detailed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "how thorough the investigation is" or "how thorough is the investigation"?

The phrase "how thorough the investigation is" is typically used in statements, while "how thorough is the investigation" is used as a question. The choice depends on whether you're making a statement or asking a question.

What's the difference between "how thorough" and "how effective"?

"How thorough" refers to the extent and completeness of an action, while "how effective" refers to the success or impact of that action. Something can be thorough without being effective, and vice versa.