What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
thoroughly
Example
The doctor examined the patient thoroughly to determine the cause of their symptoms. [thoroughly: adverb]
Example
She thoroughly researched the topic before writing her paper. [thoroughly: adverb]
carefully
Example
He carefully read the instructions before assembling the furniture. [carefully: adverb]
Example
She carefully considered all the options before making a decision. [carefully: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carefully is more commonly used than thoroughly in everyday language. Carefully is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while thoroughly is less common and often used in academic or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between thoroughly and carefully?
Thoroughly is typically associated with a more formal and technical tone, while carefully is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
