thoroughly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'thoroughly' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adverb meaning 'in a thorough manner/with great care' and is often used when describing a task that was done completely and carefully. For example: "I thoroughly checked the documents before submitting them to the court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

M Zola remarked that it surprised him that no novelist had depicted the great city thoroughly.

The Guardian - Books

You say that you respect Parliament, that you answered more questions than your predecessors and that you are the first Prime Minister to appear before a select committee, but in other ways you seem thoroughly hostile to the idea of scrutiny by elected representatives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sounds like a 1970s porno, but is actually an ancient and thoroughly respectable Arabic pastime, and the second it started, it immediately went to the top of my "Why El Fenn is better than everywhere else" list.

The Guardian - Travel

These rapes (some allegedly involving underaged individuals) are not thoroughly reported on, as the department of immigration is not keeping formal records.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Honor Blackman thoroughly enjoys herself at the OM fashion shoot and likes the clothes - the Alexander McQueen shirt, Miu Miu trousers and Banana Republic Oxford bags draw particular praise - she hates shopping for outfits herself.

The Guardian

There are 180 official 'sex businesses' in the De Wallen quarter, the Amsterdam red light district, which employ about 2,000 prostitutes who are registered, thoroughly inspected and pay tax.

The Guardian

Charles Kennedy (Former leader of Liberal Democrats dies aged 55, theguardian.com, 2 June) was a rarity in public life: a thoroughly decent man who was honest enough to admit his failings and who was not treated kindly for doing so.

The Guardian

Mendes's award for direction is the most thoroughly and conspicuously deserved of the list.

The Guardian

The bad news for the people of the world is we were lied to thoroughly by everybody for nearly 20 years.

The Guardian - Tech

Upstairs, the barman would thoroughly prepare a pisco sour, the national drink, at any time of day.

The Guardian - Travel

The cabins were comfortable and unpretentious, but serviced as thoroughly as any hotel.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, use "thoroughly" to convey not only completeness but also meticulousness in an action. For example, "The report was thoroughly researched" implies more than just a complete report; it suggests a detailed investigation.

Common error

Avoid pairing "thoroughly" with verbs that already imply completeness. Saying "thoroughly complete" is redundant. Instead, choose a verb that benefits from the added emphasis, such as "thoroughly examine" or "thoroughly investigate".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "thoroughly" primarily functions to intensify the meaning of a verb or adjective, emphasizing the completeness and meticulousness of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its role in enhancing the quality of the action described.

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, "thoroughly" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize the completeness and meticulousness of an action or state. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media. To use it effectively, pair "thoroughly" with verbs that benefit from added emphasis and avoid redundancy. Alternatives include "completely", "entirely", and "exhaustively", each offering a slightly different nuance. By understanding its function and usage, you can confidently incorporate "thoroughly" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely

Indicates a state of being finished or whole, similar to "thoroughly" in implying completeness but can lack the emphasis on detailed attention.

entirely

Implies the whole extent or degree, which overlaps with "thoroughly" when referring to actions done to their full capacity.

exhaustively

Focuses on the depth and comprehensiveness of an investigation or action, mirroring "thoroughly" when used in contexts of detailed examination.

fully

Indicates the maximum extent or degree, similar to "thoroughly" in conveying completeness but applicable in a broader range of contexts.

comprehensively

Emphasizes the inclusion of all relevant details, akin to "thoroughly" when applied to investigations or reviews.

meticulously

Stresses extreme attention to detail, overlapping with "thoroughly" in contexts where precision is key.

scrupulously

Highlights moral or ethical rigor in an action, a nuanced similarity to "thoroughly" when implying diligent care.

painstakingly

Implies great effort and care, similar to "thoroughly" when detailing actions that require high levels of attention.

utterly

Indicates a complete or total degree, resembling "thoroughly" in expressing the extent of an action or state.

absolutely

Emphasizes the absence of limitations or exceptions, similar to "thoroughly" in indicating a high degree of completeness.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly" in a sentence?

Use "thoroughly" to emphasize the completeness and detail of an action. For instance, "She "thoroughly enjoyed" the concert" or "The team "thoroughly reviewed" the data".

What are some synonyms for "thoroughly"?

Alternatives for "thoroughly" include "completely", "entirely", "exhaustively", or "comprehensively". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "thoroughly complete"?

Yes, "thoroughly complete" is typically redundant. "Complete" already implies a task is finished in its entirety. Using "thoroughly" with verbs that don't inherently mean "complete" will give a stronger effect.

What's the difference between "thoroughly" and "carefully"?

"Carefully" implies attention to detail and caution, whereas "thoroughly" emphasizes completeness and depth. You might "carefully inspect" fragile items, but you would "thoroughly investigate" a complex issue.