to thoroughly examine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to thoroughly examine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the need for a detailed and careful analysis of a subject or object. Example: "The researchers decided to thoroughly examine the data before drawing any conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Their activity that day should cause us to thoroughly examine their current role".

The New York Times

McCain later tried to soften his stance, issuing a statement in which he pledged to "thoroughly examine" any nominee.

The New Yorker

We intend to thoroughly examine those areas of the N.B.A.'s operations that could affect the integrity of the game".

The New York Times - Sports

"One of our first actions after acquiring Myspace was to thoroughly examine the company's business practices and, where applicable, make improvements," Specific Media said.

The New York Times - Tech

"China's interest in promoting these investments isn't necessarily consistent with our own interests, and it's appropriate to thoroughly examine the transactions".

The New York Times

Contrary to your statement that "no airports have enough technology to thoroughly examine many checked bags," Salt Lake City International Airport has in place a comprehensive, multi-tiered screening system to examine every checked bag for explosives.

The New York Times

Although the rebuild has been dogged by criticism and controversy, residents in Christchurch say it has also given them a chance to thoroughly examine and debate what they want from their new home, and allowed creativity and innovation to flourish.

The Guardian

No airports have enough technology to thoroughly examine many checked bags, and the recent program to match bags with passengers is effective only if one believes that terrorists are not suicidal.

The New York Times

"For this reason alone, care should be taken to thoroughly examine the impact of this purchase with respect to the consolidation of banking assets, the provision of credit by the resulting bank and compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act".

The New York Times

The commissioner of the IPCC, Cindy Butts, said: "This incident has generated a great deal of concern and debate among the public following footage released on social media and therefore it is important we conduct an independent investigation to thoroughly examine what happened.

The Guardian

"Care should be taken to thoroughly examine the impact of this purchase with respect to the consolidation of banking assets, the provision of credit by the resulting bank and compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act," Mr. Frank wrote in a letter to the Fed chairman, Ben S. Bernanke.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to thoroughly examine", ensure that the context provides a clear purpose for the examination. This adds weight to your argument and clarifies the necessity of the in-depth analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "to thoroughly examine" when a simpler verb like "to check" or "to review" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to thoroughly examine" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a purpose or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is to specify the reason for an action, often indicating a need for careful and detailed analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to thoroughly examine" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to express the intention of conducting a detailed investigation. Ludwig AI supports this conclusion, highlighting its wide acceptance and diverse application. Predominantly found in scientific, news and media, and formal business contexts, the phrase suggests a commitment to in-depth analysis and critical assessment. While offering alternatives like "to carefully investigate" and "to comprehensively analyze" can provide nuanced expression, avoiding overuse in simple contexts will ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to carefully investigate

Replaces "thoroughly examine" with a focus on the care and precision of the investigation.

to fully investigate

Indicates a complete and exhaustive inquiry.

to comprehensively analyze

Shifts the focus from a general examination to a detailed analysis of all aspects.

to meticulously scrutinize

Emphasizes the attention to detail and critical assessment involved.

to rigorously assess

Highlights the strictness and objectivity of the evaluation process.

to critically evaluate

Emphasizes a balanced judgement.

to deeply explore

Suggests a more profound and extensive investigation into a topic.

to extensively study

Focuses on the detailed and prolonged nature of the investigation.

to exhaustively research

Indicates a thoroughness in the research methodology.

to closely inspect

Highlights a detailed visual or physical examination.

FAQs

What does "to thoroughly examine" mean?

The phrase "to thoroughly examine" means to investigate or inspect something in great detail and with careful attention. It suggests a comprehensive and exhaustive approach to understanding a subject or issue.

What can I say instead of "to thoroughly examine"?

You can use alternatives like "to carefully investigate", "to comprehensively analyze", or "to meticulously scrutinize", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "to thoroughly examine" or "to examine thoroughly"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "to thoroughly examine" is generally preferred because it maintains a more natural and conventional word order in English. The placement of the adverb "thoroughly" before the verb "examine" is more common.

How can I use "to thoroughly examine" in a sentence?

You might say, "The committee decided to thoroughly examine the proposal before making a recommendation", or "Scientists need to thoroughly examine the data to identify any potential anomalies". The phrase typically introduces a serious and detailed investigation.