quick but thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quick but thorough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that works efficiently but in a thorough and detailed manner. For example: "My professor is a great teacher - she gives concise explanations and is quick but thorough in her grading."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We – I have done a quick but thorough survey of my peers – think that your kissing habits are none of your business.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kent, our forever smiling (and ridiculously handsome) guide had introduced us to our ride, a two-seater fibreglass SeaBear sea kayak, and given us a quick but thorough briefing – life jackets, steering, paddling.

The Guardian - Travel

"From the Diaries of Franz Kafka," a 1981 piece set to music by Schumann, Schubert, Schoenberg, Bloch and Mahler, offers a quick but thorough submersion in the spirit and letter of Kafka's writing.

The New York Times - Arts

It then performs quick but thorough quality control and plugs the innovation into its network.

Forbes

Quick but thorough security checks of pedestrians and vehicles are par for the course.

Forbes

When anticoagulation and known systemic diseases are excluded, ASR is likely to be the manifesting complaint of an underlying infectious, immunologic, or neoplastic disorder: therefore, a quick but thorough history-taking and laboratory search for infections are required [2, 3, 7].

Insights into Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"In the interests of football there has got to be a quick but also thorough investigation," Freymuth said.

The Guardian - Sport

The option to "Scan without installing plugin" is quick but not as thorough as the plugin version.

The Guardian - Tech

He might not be sublimely quick but he is very thorough, polished and professional.

The Guardian - Sport

But most dealers recommend a quick and thorough washing as the best way to prevent body rot.

The New York Times

My recent experiences at airport security checks abroad shows that polite, effective, quick and thorough check is cost-effective.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "quick but thorough" to describe processes or actions that balance efficiency with attention to detail. For example, "a quick but thorough review" or "a quick but thorough investigation".

Common error

Avoid using "quick but thorough" when the situation truly requires in-depth analysis, regardless of time. Ensure the 'thorough' component isn't sacrificed for the sake of speed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quick but thorough" functions as a compound adjective used to describe a noun. It suggests a balance between speed and completeness, indicating something is done efficiently without sacrificing detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quick but thorough" effectively communicates a balance between efficiency and meticulousness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase across diverse contexts, although more common in News & Media and Scientific publications. While other related phrases such as "efficient yet meticulous" or "prompt and comprehensive" offer similar meanings, "quick but thorough" specifically emphasizes that speed doesn't compromise detail. When using the phrase, ensure that the 'thorough' aspect is not sacrificed for the sake of speed, and avoid using it when depth and detail are paramount regardless of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

efficient yet meticulous

Replaces 'quick' with 'efficient' and 'thorough' with 'meticulous', highlighting efficiency and attention to detail.

prompt and comprehensive

Uses 'prompt' instead of 'quick' and 'comprehensive' instead of 'thorough', emphasizing speed and broad coverage.

expeditious but detailed

Substitutes 'expeditious' for 'quick' and 'detailed' for 'thorough', suggesting speed and a focus on details.

rapid and exhaustive

Replaces 'quick' with 'rapid' and 'thorough' with 'exhaustive', indicating speed and completeness.

swift but painstaking

Uses 'swift' for 'quick' and 'painstaking' for 'thorough', conveying speed and careful effort.

fast but scrupulous

Substitutes 'fast' for 'quick' and 'scrupulous' for 'thorough', emphasizing speed and moral integrity.

timely and in-depth

Replaces 'quick' with 'timely' and 'thorough' with 'in-depth', focusing on punctuality and detailed analysis.

brief but complete

Uses 'brief' instead of 'quick' and 'complete' instead of 'thorough', emphasizing conciseness and full coverage.

immediate yet exhaustive

Substitutes 'immediate' for 'quick' and 'exhaustive' for 'thorough', highlighting immediacy and comprehensiveness.

apace and meticulous

Replaces 'quick' with 'apace' and 'thorough' with 'meticulous' suggesting quickness and care.

FAQs

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

You can use "quick but thorough" to describe an action, process, or review that is both fast and detailed. For example: "The detective conducted a "quick but thorough investigation"" or "She gave the report a "quick but thorough reading"".

What's a good alternative to "quick but thorough"?

Alternatives include "efficient yet meticulous", "prompt and comprehensive", or "expeditious but detailed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "quick but thorough"?

While seemingly contradictory, "quick but thorough" emphasizes the balance between speed and detail. It assures that efficiency doesn't compromise completeness.

When is it inappropriate to use "quick but thorough"?

Avoid using "quick but thorough" when depth and detail are paramount, and speed is not a priority. In such cases, focusing solely on "thorough" is more appropriate.