less thorough than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less thorough than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of detail or completeness between two subjects or actions. Example: "The report was less thorough than the previous one, missing several key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

He said that because of the siege around the church, the previous incursion here was less thorough than raids in other Palestinian cities. "The church sort of overshadowed it," he said.

The New York Times

A reorganization of government ministries and agencies approved by delegates turned out to be much less thorough than what political insiders and analysts said was proposed several months ago.

The New York Times

As Michael Billington noted in his fine book on the life and work of Pinter, the main characters, who engage in a verbal contest no less thorough than the batsman's with a bowler, correspond to notable figures from the game's past: George Hirst, the Yorkshire all-rounder, and RH "Reggie" Spooner, the classical Lancashire strokeplayer.

The Guardian - Sport

FROMMER'S -- More breezy and less thorough than Fodor's, Frommer's is given to unattractive boldfaces and bullet-style info-bits of dubious value (in the "Did You Know?" section: "A Spaniard, Josep Gruguès, cooked the world's largest sausage, measuring three miles long").

The New York Times - Travel

Klaidman's book, while less thorough than Sanger's, describes the extraordinary, unilateral process Obama follows before deciding to have someone killed, which he does frequently, while apparently remaining in denial about the ensuing civilian casualties.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The scoopable, clumping-type of cat litter makes this task easy and requires less thorough replacement than other types of litter.

WikiHow

You'll rarely catch me recommending a granular face scrub, because I believe they can offer the worst of all worlds: harsher than a daily flannel, less thorough and refined than a thrice-weekly acid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Olive-oil fraud continues today, though modern governments are often less thorough and effective than the Romans at preventing it.

The New Yorker

Worse, the Bank is accused of breaking its own rules, by giving the project a less thorough environmental assessment than is normal for such a sensitive one, and then being six months late in making it public in Washington.The result has been a torrent of opposition.

The Economist

However, the ascertainment appears to be slightly less thorough in the regions where the election department officers rather than Grama Nildharis administered the questionnaire inquiring about twins [ 37].

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less thorough than", ensure the comparison is clear and specific. Clearly state what the subject is being compared to and in what ways it is less thorough. For example, "The investigation was "less thorough than" initially expected, focusing only on financial records and neglecting witness interviews."

Common error

Avoid using "less thorough than" without a clear point of comparison. For instance, instead of saying "The review was "less thorough than"", specify "The review was "less thorough than" the previous audit, omitting key performance indicators."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less thorough than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It indicates that one thing is deficient in its level of completeness or detail when compared to another. Ludwig AI’s examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, from political preparations to clinical examinations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less thorough than" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate a deficiency in completeness or detail compared to something else. Ludwig shows the phrase is "correct" and acceptable for use in writing, appearing primarily in News & Media and Science contexts. While not the most frequent expression, it's a valuable tool for precise comparisons, with alternatives like "not as comprehensive as" offering similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear comparison point to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its function and appropriate usage, writers can effectively convey nuanced differences in thoroughness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as comprehensive as

Emphasizes a lack of overall completeness and broadness in scope.

not as detailed as

Highlights a deficiency in the level of specificity and intricacy.

more superficial than

Indicates a lack of depth and a focus on surface-level aspects.

not as exhaustive as

Suggests a reduction in the degree of thoroughness and comprehensiveness.

less meticulous than

Implies a decrease in carefulness and precision.

more cursory than

Suggests a quick and superficial examination or treatment.

not as painstaking as

Highlights a lower level of effort and attention to detail.

less rigorous than

Indicates a reduction in strictness and precision.

more shallow than

Points to a lack of depth and substance.

not as profound as

Implies a decrease in depth of understanding or insight.

FAQs

How can I use "less thorough than" in a sentence?

Use "less thorough than" to compare two actions or items, indicating that one lacks the completeness or detail of the other. For instance, "His examination was "not as detailed as" the specialist's assessment."

What is a good alternative to "less thorough than"?

Alternatives include "not as comprehensive as", "more superficial than", or "not as exhaustive as", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "not as thorough as" instead of "less thorough than"?

Yes, "not as thorough as" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "less thorough than". Both convey a similar meaning of comparison in terms of thoroughness.

What's the difference between "less thorough than" and "more superficial than"?

"Less thorough than" implies a lack of completeness, while "more superficial than" suggests a focus on the surface without delving into deeper details. While related, "more superficial than" emphasizes a lack of depth rather than overall completeness.