thorough enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"thorough enough" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something has been done to a satisfactory degree or that something is of a sufficient level of detail or completeness. For example: "Her research was thorough enough to answer all of the essential questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they weren't thorough enough.

The Guardian - Sport

"Obviously we weren't thorough enough," Mr. McAteer said.

The New York Times

Pascrell's larger concern is whether the vetting of Prokhorov was thorough enough.

The New York Times - Sports

His initial responses to questions about Wright have not been forceful or thorough enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

I hadn't done a thorough enough adaptation - which changed the way I approached In the Cut.

The Guardian - Film

The study was not thorough enough to capture other risk factors, she said.

The New York Times

But others said companies were simply not doing thorough enough clinical trials.

The New York Times

Thorough enough was the violence for Cavalleri and Taylor to score it a 10-8 round.

The Guardian - Sport

In the Sandy Hook case, Captain Hitchen said, the search was thorough enough to determine no boat was in distress.

The New York Times

And Mr. Morris's research is thorough enough to amplify an already well-documented part of the Roosevelt story.

The New York Times - Books

But but she's not, like some, methodical and thorough enough to then go on and be bold.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thorough enough", ensure the context clearly defines what standard of thoroughness is being met. For example, specify "thorough enough to identify all potential risks".

Common error

Avoid using "thorough enough" without indicating what the subject is thorough for. Ensure your sentence clearly states the purpose or outcome of the thoroughness. Otherwise, the statement lacks specific meaning and may be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thorough enough" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing the extent of its thoroughness. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase indicates whether something meets a certain standard of being detailed and complete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thorough enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating that something meets a required level of detail or completeness. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It appears most commonly in news and media, as well as scientific and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's essential to specify what standard of thoroughness is being met to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "sufficiently thorough" and "adequately comprehensive", each carrying slightly different nuances. This phrase serves to assess adequacy, conveying a level of satisfaction with the extent of an action or analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently thorough

Emphasizes the degree to which something meets the standard of being thorough.

satisfactorily complete

Highlights that the task or process reaches a satisfactory state of conclusion.

adequately comprehensive

Highlights the completeness of something in relation to a specific need or requirement.

sufficiently detailed

Focuses on the level of detail provided being adequate for a given purpose.

reasonably exhaustive

Implies that something is as complete as can be reasonably expected.

amply detailed

Indicates that the level of detail is more than sufficient.

acceptably meticulous

Suggests that something has been done with an acceptable level of precision and care.

passably comprehensive

Indicates a level of comprehensiveness that is just good enough, implying a lower standard.

serviceably detailed

Means that the level of detail is sufficient to serve a particular purpose or function.

competently thorough

Focuses on the skill and competence involved in being thorough.

FAQs

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

You can use "thorough enough" to describe a level of detail or completeness that meets a specific requirement. For instance, "The investigation was "thorough enough" to uncover the truth."

What are some alternatives to "thorough enough"?

Some alternatives to "thorough enough" include "sufficiently thorough", "adequately comprehensive", or "sufficiently detailed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

"Thorough enough" is the correct order. Adverbs like "enough" typically follow the adjective they modify. Therefore, saying "enough thorough" is grammatically incorrect.

How does "thorough enough" differ from "very thorough"?

"Thorough enough" implies a level of thoroughness that is adequate for a specific purpose or requirement, whereas "very thorough" simply indicates a high degree of thoroughness without necessarily relating it to a specific need. "Thorough enough" suggests sufficiency; "very thorough" suggests intensity.