Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
thorough of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "thorough of" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a mistaken combination of words, as "thorough" typically requires a different preposition, such as "in" or "about." Example: "She is thorough in her research, leaving no stone unturned."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
26 human-written examples
Beckett was the most thorough of playwrights.
News & Media
There's no doubt the Dyson 360 Eye is the most thorough of vacuuming robots currently available.
News & Media
Clinton's responses are by far the most thorough of all the candidates'.
News & Media
A novel-like narrative, in this case, does not make the most persuasive or thorough of histories.
News & Media
This applies, par excellence, to the work of the most renowned and thorough of these, Jacques-Bénigne Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
Encyclopedias
For recovering tech-stock fanatics, that is perhaps the best argument for indexing, and Mr. Blitzer's is the most thorough of the recently published treatises on the subject.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
34 human-written examples
"This attack underlines the importance of thorough protection of synagogues and Jewish sites in Britain.
News & Media
Small RNA species (including miRNA) were also extracted by modifying the PAXgene procedure by harvesting the flow-thorough of the PAXgene RNA column, and isolated using the miRNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen), according to the manufacturers' protocols.
Science
That is why my administration is nearing completion of a thorough review of this practice.
News & Media
These results mandate a thorough analysis of causes of reintubation.
Science
Cuomo's hire is part of a thorough revamping of CNN's ranks.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Consider using "thorough" as an adjective modifying a noun, rather than attempting to use it in a prepositional phrase. For instance, "a thorough investigation" is grammatically sound.
Common error
A common error is pairing "thorough" with the incorrect preposition. While "thorough in" or "thorough with" are sometimes used, "thorough of" is generally considered incorrect. Ensure you're using "thorough" correctly by modifying a noun directly (e.g., "thorough review") or using the correct preposition in other contexts.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "thorough of" functions as a modifier attempting to link the adjective 'thorough' with a subsequent noun, but it does so incorrectly. According to Ludwig, the phrase is not correct. The correct usage involves using 'thorough' as an adjective directly modifying a noun, such as 'thorough analysis' or 'thorough review'.
Frequent in
News & Media
38%
Science
33%
Encyclopedias
8%
Less common in
Wiki
3%
Formal & Business
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "thorough of" appears in various sources, Ludwig identifies it as grammatically incorrect. A more accurate construction involves using "thorough" as an adjective directly modifying a noun, such as "thorough analysis" or "thorough review". The phrase aims to communicate a high degree of completeness or attention to detail, but its incorrect usage detracts from effective communication. While the phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, it is advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility in writing. It's important to note that although present in several authoritative sources, the grammatical inaccuracy highlighted by Ludwig overrides the authority of the source, resulting in a low expert rating.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
thorough analysis of
Replaces a prepositional phrase with a noun phrase, emphasizing the act of analysis.
comprehensive review of
Replaces "thorough" with "comprehensive" and "analysis" with "review", highlighting the all-encompassing nature of the examination.
detailed examination of
Substitutes "thorough" with "detailed" and "analysis" with "examination", focusing on the level of scrutiny.
exhaustive study of
Replaces "thorough" with "exhaustive" and "analysis" with "study", emphasizing the completeness of the investigation.
in-depth investigation of
Substitutes "thorough" with "in-depth", underscoring the depth of the inquiry.
meticulous assessment of
Replaces "thorough" with "meticulous" and analysis with "assessment", highlighting the careful and precise nature of the evaluation.
careful scrutiny of
Replaces "thorough" with "careful" and analysis with "scrutiny", emphasizing the caution and attentiveness applied.
rigorous evaluation of
Substitutes "thorough" with "rigorous" and "analysis" with "evaluation", focusing on the strictness and precision of the assessment.
systematic appraisal of
Replaces "thorough" with "systematic" and analysis with "appraisal", emphasizing the organized and methodical nature of the review.
complete and thorough
Uses "complete" to amplify "thorough", making sure not to use the preposition "of".
FAQs
What's the correct way to use "thorough" in a sentence?
Use "thorough" as an adjective directly modifying a noun, for example, "a thorough investigation". Avoid using "thorough of"; instead, use alternatives such as "thorough analysis of" or "detailed review of".
Is "thorough of" grammatically correct?
No, "thorough of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "thorough analysis" or "thorough review".
What can I say instead of "thorough of"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "detailed in", "comprehensive about", "thorough analysis of", or simply rephrase to use "thorough" as an adjective.
Which is correct, "thorough of" or "thorough analysis of"?
"Thorough analysis of" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "Thorough of" is generally considered incorrect.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested