very thorough

USAGE SUMMARY

"very thorough" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something has been done in great detail, with care and precision. For example: "The accountant did a very thorough audit of the company's financial records."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He's very thorough".

The New York Times

"We're very thorough.

The Guardian - Sport

Mirri is very thorough.

The Guardian - Travel

It was very thorough.

The New York Times

Our system is very thorough.

The Guardian

"We made very thorough investigations.

The Guardian

The boys are very thorough.

The Guardian - Books

He had been very thorough.

The Guardian - Books

He was very, very thorough.

The Guardian - Sport

My wife is very thorough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They were very thorough," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very thorough", ensure that the context reflects a meticulous and comprehensive approach. Avoid using it as a generic intensifier; provide specific examples to showcase the depth and detail involved.

Common error

Avoid using "very thorough" as a placeholder for actual detail. Instead of saying "The investigation was very thorough", specify which aspects were examined in detail or what steps were taken to ensure completeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very thorough" primarily functions as an adjective modifier, intensifying the adjective "thorough". It describes the extent to which something is complete and detailed. Ludwig examples demonstrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very thorough" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that amplifies the adjective "thorough", as confirmed by Ludwig. Its function is to emphasize completeness and attention to detail across diverse contexts, most commonly within News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more sophisticated synonyms like "highly comprehensive" or "remarkably exhaustive" in highly formal contexts. A best practice is to avoid using "very thorough" as a generic descriptor and instead provide specific examples to support the claim. Over all, Ludwig's analysis indicates that "very thorough" is a versatile and reliable phrase for conveying a sense of meticulousness and comprehensiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely meticulous

Emphasizes precision and attention to detail to an extreme degree.

highly comprehensive

Focuses on the breadth and scope of the investigation or review.

remarkably exhaustive

Stresses the completeness and depth of the work done.

incredibly detailed

Highlights the level of granularity and specificity involved.

exceptionally painstaking

Emphasizes the care and effort taken to ensure accuracy.

really scrupulous

Focuses on the high level of integrity and rigor applied.

absolutely complete

Highlights the state of being finished and containing everything necessary.

supremely diligent

Emphasizes the consistent and careful effort applied.

perfectly exhaustive

Stresses the absence of anything left out or undone with a touch of perfection.

impressively methodical

Focuses on order and systematic approach used.

FAQs

How can I use "very thorough" in a sentence?

Use "very thorough" to emphasize that something is done with great attention to detail. For example: "The doctor conducted a "very thorough examination"."

What are some synonyms for "very thorough"?

Alternatives to "very thorough" include "extremely meticulous", "highly comprehensive", or "remarkably exhaustive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "very thorough" in formal writing?

While "very thorough" is generally acceptable, consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "highly comprehensive" or "remarkably exhaustive" in formal contexts to enhance the impact and precision of your language.

Which is better, "very thorough" or "extremely thorough"?

Both "very thorough" and "extremely thorough" are correct, but "extremely thorough" may suggest a slightly higher degree of intensity or detail. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to achieve.