thoroughly and completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly and completely" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when emphasizing that something has been done in an exhaustive manner. For example: "The report was reviewed thoroughly and completely before submission." Alternative expressions include "fully and entirely" or "thoroughly and entirely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Any allegation of improper influence must be investigated thoroughly and completely.

The New York Times

"We fully expected that after initiating contact with the S.E.C., they would look into this matter thoroughly and completely," Lucent said in a statement yesterday.

The New York Times

Rudy was a gentleman, the consummate professional, a cherished friend, and the backbone of his family to which he was thoroughly and completely devoted.

The New York Times

"It is premature for us to provide comment regarding these allegations at this time, without having the opportunity to thoroughly and completely review the facts".

The New York Times - Sports

Another is to look at how everything was before so thoroughly and completely that you begin to see every flaw, every crack in your, or your community's, foundation.

Huffington Post

I am raising my sons as feminists, and all the gay dads with daughters especially seem to be empowering their children thoroughly and completely.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In a December interview with Florida's News-Press, Rubio defended Mueller's reputation and said he believed the "best thing" would be for the investigation to be completed "as thoroughly and as completely as possible".

Huffington Post

"There was ample support for the ruling of the Second Circuit, which thoroughly considered and completely rejected the arguments that Mr. Clarett's lawyers have presented to the Supreme Court," said Jeff Pash, the N.F.L. executive vice president.

The New York Times - Sports

The week's second-most-expensive residential transaction, at $16.5 million, was also on the East Side, but it's a thoroughly modern and completely renovated loftlike condominium on the 38th floor of the Trump Tower at 721 Fifth Avenue.

The New York Times

As for the impact: the show is much more complex than you might expect, and wades into issues like mental health, the environment, poverty, nationalism, and class in ways that are thoroughly profound and completely disarming.

Vice

Pimp Rap Has a New Prince and His Name is 100s.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly and completely" to emphasize the exhaustive nature of an action, ensuring no detail is overlooked. This phrase works well in formal reports, investigations, and detailed instructions.

Common error

Avoid pairing "thoroughly and completely" with other intensifiers. Phrases like "very thoroughly and completely" are redundant and weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly and completely" functions as an intensifying adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to emphasize the exhaustive and comprehensive nature of an action or state. The usage examples provided by Ludwig indicate that it commonly strengthens descriptions of investigations, reviews, and processes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thoroughly and completely" serves as an intensifier, commonly found in news, wiki and science articles. It emphasizes the exhaustiveness and comprehensiveness of an action. Ludwig's analysis, based on diverse sources, confirms the phrase is grammatically correct, although it benefits from careful use to avoid redundancy. When writing, remember to ensure its formal tone fits the context and consider the alternatives. Therefore, understanding when and how to employ "thoroughly and completely" can enhance clarity and precision in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhaustively and fully

Replaces "thoroughly" with "exhaustively" and "completely" with "fully", emphasizing the exhaustive nature of an action.

entirely and comprehensively

Uses "entirely" and "comprehensively" instead of "thoroughly and completely", shifting the focus to comprehensiveness.

fully and utterly

Swaps "thoroughly" with "fully" and "completely" with "utterly", stressing the totality of the action or state.

absolutely and entirely

Replaces "thoroughly" with "absolutely" and "completely" with "entirely", intensifying the sense of completeness.

comprehensively and wholly

Employs "comprehensively" and "wholly" instead, highlighting the all-encompassing nature of the action.

in every respect

Expresses completeness using a prepositional phrase, focusing on considering all aspects.

from top to bottom

Uses a figurative expression to indicate a thorough and complete examination or action.

in all aspects

Similar to "in every respect" but emphasizes different aspects being covered.

down to the last detail

Highlights attention to detail as a key component of being thorough and complete.

in its entirety

Focuses on encompassing the whole of something, rather than the process of doing something completely.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly and completely" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly and completely" to emphasize the exhaustive nature of an action. For example: "The evidence was examined "thoroughly and completely" before a decision was made."

What are some alternatives to "thoroughly and completely"?

Alternatives include "exhaustively and fully", "entirely and comprehensively", or "fully and utterly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "thoroughly and completely" together?

While both words convey a sense of exhaustiveness, using them together emphasizes the comprehensive nature of an action, suggesting that it was both carefully executed and fully encompassing. Consider alternatives if brevity is preferred.

In what contexts is "thoroughly and completely" most appropriate?

"Thoroughly and completely" is suitable for formal contexts where precision and detail are paramount, such as legal documents, scientific reports, and investigative journalism. In more informal settings, consider using a single word like "thoroughly" or "completely" for better readability.