What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
thoroughly
Example
The inspector thoroughly examined the building for any safety hazards. [thoroughly: adverb]
Example
She thoroughly researched the topic before writing her paper. [thoroughly: adverb]
completely
Example
I completely forgot about our meeting yesterday. [completely: adverb]
Example
The project is now completely finished and ready for submission. [completely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Completely is more commonly used than thoroughly in everyday language. Completely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while thoroughly is less common and tends to be used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between thoroughly and completely?
Thoroughly is typically associated with a more formal tone, while completely is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
