Through-Thorough | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Thorough vs. Through

Thorough

/ˈθʌrə/
Very careful and complete.

Examples:

But he felt he had been sufficiently thorough.It's definitely the most thorough attempt at recruitment I've experienced.Her thorough research uncovered new insights.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Through

/θruː/
Moving in one end and out of the other side or surface of something

Examples:

He made another search, careful and protracted, through the cabinets.But my greatest fear all through has been Caroline.And after Belknap was through with him, then Mason.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Through has fewer letters and is quicker to use when talking about passing from one side to the other.
  • Remember thorough is more detailed because it has more letters, just like its meaning as something done with great care and completeness.
  • Think of through as being straight through something, while thorough is more of a detailed examination.
  • A simple way to remember: You go through a tunnel, but you do a thorough inspection to ensure safety.
  • Through is used for direction or movement, and thorough for detail or precision.
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