thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

'thorough' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is done with great attention to detail and care. Example sentence: She always approaches her work with a thorough attitude, making sure that all the details are attended to.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This absence is at least partially explained by the thorough discrediting of nationalism after nazism and the fact that, unlike further east, communist elites did not become corrupt nouveaux riches (and therefore the subject of a rightwing backlash, as in Hungary, for instance).

The Guardian - Opinion

The archival material which underlay the RTE documentary was therefore taken very seriously by the government and was subject to thorough legal analysis and advice.

The Guardian

Built in an open environment by an expert in-house team and based on thorough research into how people consume news and features, including feedback from readers, the new site was created to provide the best possible ways of finding, reading and engaging with Guardian journalism.

The Guardian

This is not a time for protection of process, but a thorough and confronting dissection of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

We will also undertake a thorough review of NHS costs and funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of the health service".

The Guardian

An IP address that activists have traced to the British government was used to add a paragraph attacking the groups that had called for a thorough investigation into the de Menezes case.

The Guardian - Tech

Delaney said the FAI's board would meet "within the next week" to begin what he promised would be a thorough process while, with the opening Euro 2016 qualifying ties not scheduled to begin until September next year, he suggested that his board had time on their side.

The Guardian - Sport

"After a thorough review of all the material gathered the City of London Police has concluded there is not sufficient evidence to progress a criminal investigation".

The Guardian - Money

But Wada, based in the Canadian city of Montreal, announced on Tuesday morning its intentions to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, following a "thorough examination of the evidence".

The Guardian - Sport

Calling for a thorough investigation, Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein told a special session of the UN human rights council in Geneva this month that his office had received reports of the militants putting children forward as "expendable cannon fodder" for its first line of attack.

The Guardian - Opinion

A week later, Coeur d'Alene police chief Ron Clark announced he had reassigned Kelley to desk duty and promised an immediate, thorough investigation, vowing to do everything in his power to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision in your writing, use "thorough" to emphasize that something was done with great attention to detail and no aspect was overlooked. This enhances the credibility and reliability of your statements.

Common error

While "thorough" highlights completeness, excessive repetition can make your writing sound verbose. To avoid this, consider using synonyms such as "exhaustive", "comprehensive", or "meticulous" to maintain a balanced and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "thorough" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a high degree of completeness and attention to detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thorough" is a versatile and frequently used adjective that indicates completeness and careful attention to detail. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is correct and appropriate for use in written English. Its frequent occurrence in news and media contexts reflects its suitability for conveying detailed information. To enhance your writing, remember to use "thorough" when emphasizing the completeness of an action or process, but be mindful of potential redundancy by incorporating synonyms such as "exhaustive" or "comprehensive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhaustive

Emphasizes completeness and attention to all details, similar to "thorough".

comprehensive

Focuses on including all aspects or elements of something, akin to being "thorough".

meticulous

Highlights precision and carefulness in detail, similar to the attentiveness of being "thorough".

painstaking

Suggests a detailed and careful effort, matching the carefulness of being "thorough".

detailed

Focuses on the inclusion of many specific elements, related to the completeness of being "thorough".

complete

Indicates that something has all its parts or elements, similar to the all-encompassing nature of being "thorough".

in-depth

Stresses the extent and detail of analysis or coverage, relating to the depth of being "thorough".

careful

Emphasizes the attention and caution taken, similar to the attentiveness of being "thorough".

rigorous

Highlights the strictness and meticulousness in approach, similar to the precision of being "thorough".

all-inclusive

Indicates including everything necessary, similar to the completeness of being "thorough".

FAQs

How to use "thorough" in a sentence?

You can use "thorough" to describe something done carefully and completely, such as "The investigation was "thorough"", or to describe a person who is very detailed and careful, such as "She is a "thorough" researcher".

What can I say instead of "thorough"?

You can use alternatives like "exhaustive", "comprehensive", or "meticulous" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "thorough" or "through"?

"Thorough" describes something that is complete and detailed. "Through" indicates movement from one side to another or completion of a process. For example, "The search was "thorough"" versus "We walked "through" the forest".

What's the difference between "thorough" and "detailed"?

"Thorough" implies completeness and attention to all aspects, while "detailed" emphasizes the inclusion of many specifics. A ""thorough"" analysis covers everything, while a "detailed" report includes many specific points.