What is thoroughly? Pronunciation and usage in English

thoroughly means . Learn how to pronounce and use thoroughly through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of thoroughly

thoroughlyadverb

/ˈθʌrəli/
Definition & pronunciation of thoroughly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "thoroughly." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. "Thorough" - First Part

  • "Th": Pronounced like "th" as in "think." Don't say "t" or "d."
  • "ough": This is the tricky part. It’s pronounced like "oh" (as in "go"). It's not "off" or "of."
  • "ly": Pronounced like "lee."

So, "thorough" sounds like: THOHR (like "thor" as in Thor the god)

2. "ly" - Second Part

  • "ly": Same as above – pronounced like "lee."

Putting it all together:

THOHR-lee

Tips for getting it right:

Would you like me to break down any part of the word or provide more examples?

Usage and examples with the word thoroughly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "thoroughly" in English. It's a fantastic adverb that adds a strong sense of completeness and attention to detail.

1. Basic Meaning:

"Thoroughly" means completely, in a detailed and careful way. It suggests going beyond the surface and examining something completely.

2. How to Use It – Common Sentence Structures:

  • With Verbs: This is where you'll most often see it. "Thoroughly" modifies a verb, telling you how something is done.

    • "He thoroughly examined the evidence." (He examined it completely and carefully.)
    • "She thoroughly cleaned the house." (She cleaned it completely and meticulously.)
    • "The teacher thoroughly reviewed the lesson plan." (She reviewed it completely, paying attention to all details.)
    • “The detective thoroughly investigated the crime scene.”

  • With Adjectives: You can use it to describe a quality being achieved.

    • "The gardeners thoroughly pruned the roses." (They pruned them completely and carefully, ensuring a beautiful shape.)
    • "The chef thoroughly seasoned the soup." (He seasoned it completely, adding all the necessary spices.)

  • As a Phrase: It's often used as part of a longer phrase.

    • “He thoroughly understood the concept.” (meaning he completely and fully grasped it)
    • “She thoroughly enjoyed the movie.” (meaning she enjoyed it completely and deeply)

3. Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Intensity: "Thoroughly" indicates a higher degree of completeness than words like "carefully" or "completely." It suggests more effort and attention.

  • Synonyms: While "thoroughly" is excellent, here are some other words you could use depending on the context:

    • Completely
    • Fully
    • Meticulously
    • Scrupulously
    • Carefully
    • In depth
    • Exhaustively

  • Don’t Overuse: While a useful word, “thoroughly” can feel a bit formal if used too frequently. Consider if a simpler word would fit better.

4. Examples Demonstrating Different Contexts:

  • Formal (Report Writing): "The audit team thoroughly reviewed all financial records to ensure accuracy."
  • Informal (Everyday Conversation): "I thoroughly enjoyed that dinner! The food was delicious."
  • Technical (Instructions): “Thoroughly mix the ingredients before adding the baking powder."

5. Let’s Practice!

Try using “thoroughly” in these sentences:

  1. The mechanic ___________ inspected the car’s engine.
  2. She ___________ prepared for the presentation.
  3. The students ___________ studied for the exam.

Answers to the Practice:

  1. thoroughly inspected
  2. thoroughly prepared
  3. thoroughly studied

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Help you come up with sentences using "thoroughly" in a specific context (e.g., describing a process, explaining a situation)?
  • Compare "thoroughly" to a slightly different word (like "completely")?

Synonyms for the word thoroughly

Practice with vocabulary thoroughly

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Before submitting the final proposal, the project manager instructed everyone to review their sections ____________ for any errors.
  2. The architect designed the blueprints ____________, paying attention to every minute detail and dimension.
  3. To truly master a new skill, one must practice it ____________, focusing on every nuance and potential weakness.
  4. He tackled the complex problem ____________, refusing to give up until a viable solution was found.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Before making a final decision on the investment, you should investigate the company's financial records ____________. (a) vaguely (b) casually (c) thoroughly (d) superficially
  2. The detective vowed to examine every piece of evidence ____________ to ensure justice was served. (a) haphazardly (b) exhaustively (c) meticulously (d) thoroughly (e) partially
  3. To prevent future security breaches, the IT team decided to audit all system vulnerabilities ____________. (a) swiftly (b) thoroughly (c) vaguely (d) partially (e) comprehensively
  4. The new policy was implemented ____________, affecting every department within the organization. (a) locally (b) globally (c) organizationally (d) universally (e) broadly
  5. After several rounds of negotiations, both parties finally reached an ____________ agreement. (a) ambiguous (b) tentative (c) unanimous (d) contentious (e) conclusive

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The researchers carried out a very detailed analysis of the survey results.
  2. The quality control team checked every single product before it left the factory.
  3. The presentation was designed with great care, ensuring all data was accurate and easy to understand.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. thoroughly
  2. precisely
  3. thoroughly
  4. diligently

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. (c) thoroughly
  2. (b) exhaustively, (c) meticulously, (d) thoroughly
  3. (b) thoroughly, (e) comprehensively
  4. (d) universally, (e) broadly
  5. (c) unanimous, (e) conclusive

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The researchers thoroughly analyzed the survey results.
  2. The quality control team thoroughly checked every product before it left the factory.
  3. The presentation was meticulously designed, ensuring all data was accurate and easy to understand.

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