unnecessarily thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unnecessarily thorough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively detailed or comprehensive beyond what is needed or required. Example: "The report was unnecessarily thorough, including minute details that did not contribute to the overall understanding of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

SCENE 2: O'Neill, a failed poet before he was a playwright, provided unnecessarily thorough stage directions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Unnecessarily fast.

The Guardian - Film

Sometimes people die unnecessarily.

The Economist

They retaliated unnecessarily.

The New Yorker

"It was unnecessarily vulgar".

The New York Times

Thorough profile.

The Guardian - Tech

Scraping: thorough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Don't drive unnecessarily!

The New York Times

Am I fretting unnecessarily?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This seems unnecessarily radical.

The New York Times

But not unnecessarily.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unnecessarily thorough" when you want to criticize something for including too many details that are not important or useful. It implies a lack of focus or efficiency.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "unnecessarily thorough" can sound critical. In formal settings, consider alternatives like "very detailed" or "highly comprehensive", unless the intent is to specifically point out the excess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unnecessarily thorough" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or verb to describe the extent of completeness. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase, showing its role in describing something as excessively detailed. As seen in Ludwig's example from the New Yorker.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unnecessarily thorough" is a grammatically sound expression used to critique something for being excessively detailed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While the phrase is clear and understandable, it is used infrequently. When writing, consider whether the level of detail you provide is truly necessary or if it veers into the realm of being "excessively detailed". Alternatives like "overly comprehensive" or "needlessly detailed" may be considered to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively detailed

Focuses on the overabundance of detail.

overly comprehensive

Emphasizes the extent of coverage being beyond what's needed.

needlessly detailed

Highlights the lack of necessity for the detail.

gratuitously detailed

Suggests the detail is excessive and uncalled for.

unjustifiably exhaustive

Implies the thoroughness lacks justification.

superfluously detailed

Indicates the detail is beyond what is required or useful.

excessive in detail

A more direct way to describe too much detail.

unnecessarily elaborate

Focuses on the complexity being unneeded.

overkill in thoroughness

Uses "overkill" to convey the excessiveness.

unwarrantedly detailed

Similar to 'unjustifiably exhaustive', highlighting the lack of a need for detail.

FAQs

What does "unnecessarily thorough" mean?

The phrase "unnecessarily thorough" means excessively detailed or comprehensive to a degree that is not needed or useful. It suggests that something has been done with more detail than required, often implying a waste of time or resources.

When is it appropriate to use "unnecessarily thorough"?

It is appropriate to use "unnecessarily thorough" when you want to express that something includes excessive details that are not contributing to the overall understanding or outcome. It is often used in critical assessments.

What are some alternatives to "unnecessarily thorough"?

You can use alternatives like "excessively detailed", "overly comprehensive", or "needlessly detailed" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

How can I avoid being "unnecessarily thorough" in my writing?

Focus on providing essential information and avoid including details that do not directly support your main points. Prioritize clarity and conciseness by removing any information that is "superfluous" or "redundant".