What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
throughly
Example
The detective went throughly through the crime scene to gather evidence. [throughly: adverb]
Example
She studied throughly for the exam and got an A. [throughly: adverb]
thoroughly
Example
Please clean the kitchen thoroughly before you leave. [thoroughly: adverb]
Example
The doctor examined the patient thoroughly to make a diagnosis. [thoroughly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thoroughly is much more common than throughly in modern English. Thoroughly is the standard and correct form and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, while throughly is considered outdated and incorrect.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between throughly and thoroughly?
Both throughly and thoroughly can be used in formal contexts, but throughly may have a more archaic or formal connotation due to its outdated spelling.
