thorough account

USAGE SUMMARY

"thorough account" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means a detailed and comprehensive explanation or description of something. Example: The witness provided a thorough account of the events leading up to the accident.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lavergne wrote a thorough account of Whitman's murders, A Sniper in the Tower, in 1997.

The Guardian

(The Web site Alaska Dispatch has a thorough account of how he got started).

The New Yorker

(Professor Deborah Pearlstein, of Cardozo Law, has given a thorough account of this history).

The New Yorker

The Baltimore Sun, her hometown paper, wrote up a more thorough account at 14 paragraphs.

The Washington Post

Her book is a thorough account of two not always scintillating people.

The New York Times - Books

(The Argus Leader would provide perhaps the only thorough account of what she said on the stump throughout the day).

The New York Times

"Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues" (Revenant) is a shockingly thorough account of the career of the Delta bluesman Charley Patton.

The New Yorker

The most damaging aspect of the report would be a thorough account of Trump's efforts to obstruct justice.

The Washington Post

To ensure that you're hearing from the right ones, make sure your account managers have accurate, thorough account maps.

Harvard Business Review

Two of our finest business journalists have written a thorough account of the origins of the financial crisis of 2008.

The New York Times - Books

A fair and thorough account of what happened is imperative if we are to avoid future financial disasters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, ensure your "thorough account" balances detail with conciseness, avoiding unnecessary jargon or overly complex language that could obscure the message.

Common error

Avoid including tangential information in your "thorough account". Prioritize details that directly support the central narrative or analysis to maintain focus and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thorough account" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object or complement in a sentence. Ludwig shows it describes a detailed and comprehensive explanation or report. This is supported by examples like "Lavergne wrote a thorough account of Whitman's murders".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thorough account" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a detailed and comprehensive explanation or description. According to Ludwig, its function is primarily to convey completeness and accuracy, making it suitable for neutral to formal contexts such as news reporting, scientific writing, and academic discourse. While the phrase sees frequent use in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", it appears less often in more informal settings. It's important to aim for a balance between detail and conciseness to ensure clarity and avoid overwhelming the audience with irrelevant information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detailed explanation

Replaces "account" with "explanation", focusing on the depth of information.

comprehensive report

Substitutes "account" with "report", implying a structured and formal presentation of information.

exhaustive analysis

Emphasizes the completeness and depth of the examination.

in-depth study

Highlights the detailed nature of the investigation.

complete coverage

Focuses on the extent to which a topic is addressed.

full disclosure

Implies the revealing of all relevant information.

minute description

Stresses the detailed and precise nature of the description.

careful investigation

Highlights the diligence and attentiveness involved in the examination.

precise record

Emphasizes the accuracy and exactness of the recorded information.

scrupulous documentation

Highlights the meticulous nature of the documentation process.

FAQs

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

You can use "thorough account" to describe a detailed and comprehensive explanation or report. For example, "The historian provided a "thorough account" of the war's origins".

What can I say instead of "thorough account"?

You can use alternatives like "detailed explanation", "comprehensive report", or "exhaustive analysis" depending on the context.

Is "thorough accounting" the same as "thorough account"?

"Thorough accounting" refers specifically to a detailed and careful examination of financial records, while ""thorough account"" is a more general term for a detailed explanation or description of any event or topic.

What makes an account "thorough"?

A ""thorough account"" is characterized by its completeness, accuracy, and attention to detail. It leaves no significant aspect unexamined and provides a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.