pretty thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty thorough" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is complete or extensive in its coverage or detail. Example: The detective conducted a pretty thorough investigation, gathering evidence from multiple sources and interviewing numerous witnesses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sounds pretty thorough.

The New York Times

"Slow but pretty thorough," is his verdict.

The Economist

They did a pretty thorough job,' Stringer said.

The Guardian

They're pretty thorough on what can play and who can't".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, a Stanford official is dubious: "John's disillusionment with the city is pretty thorough".

The New Yorker

This improvement must have come from a pretty thorough period of self-examination and self-correction.

The New York Times

Good thing they've already given your goofball muscles a pretty thorough workout.

The New York Times

"Olympic security has been pretty thorough since Munich," he said by telephone from Montreal.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm going to do a pretty thorough interviewing process," he said.

The New York Times

It's much too early to give up on the court, but Foley's disappointment is pretty thorough.

The New York Times - Books

The BBC got a pretty thorough bashing at last week's MediaGuardian Edinburgh TV festival.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty thorough" to describe a process, analysis, or investigation that covers all important aspects and leaves no significant details unexamined.

Common error

While "pretty thorough" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for stronger synonyms like "exhaustive" or "comprehensive" for more impactful descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty thorough" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It typically describes a noun, indicating the extent to which something is complete or detailed. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty thorough" is a grammatically sound and common adjective phrase used to describe something that is complete and detailed. Ludwig AI's analysis and the provided examples show it's frequently found in news and media, indicating a neutral register. While perfectly acceptable, writers should be mindful of overusing it and consider stronger synonyms like "exhaustive" or "comprehensive" to enhance their writing's impact. The phrase serves to assure the audience of the completeness and attention to detail in a process or analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite exhaustive

Changes 'pretty' to 'quite' and 'thorough' to 'exhaustive', emphasizing completeness.

very comprehensive

Substitutes 'pretty' with 'very' and 'thorough' with 'comprehensive', highlighting broad coverage.

fairly complete

Replaces 'thorough' with 'complete' and modifies the intensity, indicating a good level of completion.

reasonably exhaustive

Uses 'reasonably' to moderate 'exhaustive', suggesting a practical limit to thoroughness.

quite meticulous

Replaces 'thorough' with 'meticulous', focusing on attention to detail.

very detailed

Substitutes 'thorough' with 'detailed', emphasizing the presence of many specific elements.

remarkably complete

Emphasizes the completeness to a notable degree.

impressively thorough

Highlights the thoroughness as particularly noteworthy.

extremely detailed

Focuses on an exceptional level of detail.

highly comprehensive

Highlights a very broad and inclusive approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty thorough" to describe something that is complete and detailed. For example, "The investigation was "pretty thorough", covering all aspects of the case."

What are some alternatives to "pretty thorough"?

Alternatives to "pretty thorough" include "quite exhaustive", "very comprehensive", or "fairly complete". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "pretty thorough" or "very thorough"?

Both "pretty thorough" and "very thorough" are grammatically correct. "Very thorough" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal. Choose the phrase that fits the overall tone of your writing.

What does "pretty thorough" mean?

"Pretty thorough" means something is done with great attention to detail and completeness, covering all the important aspects. It suggests a high level of care and attention has been given to the task.