Through vs. Thorough — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
Through implies movement from one side to another, focusing on progression, whereas thorough denotes comprehensive and detailed examination or completion, emphasizing depth and completeness.
Difference Between Through and Thorough
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Through often relates to a movement or journey from one point to another, suggesting a path or passage. It implies a transition or progression, emphasizing the idea of entering one side and emerging from the other. Whereas thorough is used to describe the extent or degree of completeness in an action, task, or examination, highlighting meticulousness and attention to detail without leaving any part untouched.
In the context of physical space, through can indicate movement within a confined area, leading to an exit point, like walking through a tunnel. On the other hand, thorough might be used to describe a detailed inspection of every part of that tunnel, ensuring no aspect is overlooked.
Through can also be used to signify the means by which something is achieved, such as achieving success through hard work. Thorough, in contrast, would describe the level of effort and detail put into that hard work, ensuring every possible aspect has been considered and addressed.
In terms of time, through might denote the duration from the beginning to the end of a period, like working through the night. Thorough, however, would imply a complete and detailed focus during that time, ensuring every task is done to the fullest extent.
While through often relates to spatial and temporal dimensions, thorough is more qualitative, emphasizing the depth and quality of an action or examination, ensuring that everything is done comprehensively and without omission.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Movement from one side to the other; passage
Comprehensive and detailed in approach or examination
Usage Context
Spatial and temporal transitions
Quality and depth of actions, tasks, or examinations
Prepositions
Can be used with prepositions like 'throughout'
Often used with adverbs like 'thoroughly'
Associated Actions
Related to passing, moving, or achieving something
Related to examining, completing, or doing something in detail
Examples
Going through a door; Working through a problem
A thorough review; Thorough preparation
Compare with Definitions
Through
Used to indicate movement within something.
He walked through the forest.
Thorough
Extremely attentive to accuracy and detail.
The report was thorough.
Through
Expressing a relation between means and end.
Success through hard work.
Thorough
Comprehensive in scope or coverage.
They conducted a thorough investigation.
Through
Signifying completion or accomplishment.
We made it through the challenge.
Thorough
Ensuring completeness and exhaustive attention.
The teacher gave a thorough explanation.
Through
Indicating a mediator or intermediary.
Negotiations went through a mediator.
Thorough
Executed without omission.
The cleaning was thorough.
Through
Denoting a period of time.
She worked through the night.
Thorough
Showing great care and diligence.
His preparation was thorough.
Through
In one side and out the opposite or another side of
Went through the tunnel.
Thorough
In 17th century England, Thorough was a name given by Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford to a scheme of his to establish absolute monarchy in England. Although "Thorough" is largely attributed to Strafford, its implementation can also be accredited to the Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud.
Through
Among or between; in the midst of
A walk through the flowers.
Thorough
Complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial
Planners need a thorough understanding of the subject
Through
By way of
Climbed in through the window.
Thorough
Exhaustively complete
A thorough search.
Through
By the means or agency of
Bought the antique vase through a dealer.
Thorough
Painstakingly accurate or careful
Thorough research.
Through
Into and out of the handling, care, processing, modification, or consideration of
Her application went through our office. Run the figures through the computer.
Thorough
Absolute; utter
A thorough pleasure.
Through
Here and there in; around
A tour through France.
Thorough
Variant of through.
Through
From the beginning to the end of
Stayed up through the night.
Thorough
Painstaking and careful not to miss or omit any detail.
The Prime Minister announced a thorough investigation into the death of a father of two in police custody.
He is the most thorough worker I have ever seen.
The infested house needs a thorough cleansing before it will be inhabitable.
Through
At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully
We are through the initial testing period.
Thorough
Utter; complete; absolute.
Through
Up to and including
A play that runs through December.
A volume that covers A through D.
Thorough
(obsolete) Through.
Through
Past and without stopping for
Drove through a red light.
Thorough
A furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water.
Through
Because of; on account of
She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor through modesty.
Thorough
Through.
Through
From one end or side to another or an opposite end or side
Opened the door and went through.
Thorough
Passing through; as, thorough lights in a house.
Through
From beginning to end; completely
I read the article once through.
Thorough
Passing through or to the end; hence, complete; perfect; as, a thorough reformation; thorough work; a thorough translator; a thorough poet.
Through
Throughout the whole extent or thickness; thoroughly
Warmed the leftovers clear through.
Got soaked through in the rain.
A letter that was shot through with the writer's personality.
Thorough
Thoroughly.
Through
Over the total distance; all the way
Drove through to their final destination.
Thorough
Through.
Through
To a conclusion or an accomplishment
See a matter through.
Thorough
A furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water.
Through
Allowing continuous passage; unobstructed
A through street.
Thorough
Painstakingly careful and accurate;
Our accountant is thorough
Thorough research
Through
Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers
A through bus.
A through ticket.
Thorough
Very thorough; exhaustively complete;
An exhaustive study
Made a thorough search
Thoroughgoing research
Through
Continuing on a highway without exiting
Through traffic.
Through lanes.
Through
Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another
A through beam.
Through
Having finished; at completion
She was through with the project.
Through
Having no further concern, dealings, or connection
I'm through with him.
Through
Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up
That swimmer is through as an athlete.
Through
Doomed to death or destruction.
Through
From one side of an opening to the other.
I went through the window.
Through
Entering, then later leaving.
I drove through the town at top speed without looking left or right.
Through
Surrounded by (while moving).
We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up.
Through
By means of.
This team believes in winning through intimidation.
Through
In consequence of; as a result of.
Through
(North America) To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values.
From 1945 through 1991;
The numbers 1 through 9;
Your membership is active through March 15, 2013
Through
Passing from one side of something to the other.
Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.
Through
Finished; complete.
They were through with laying the subroof by noon.
Through
Without a future; done for.
After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services.
Through
No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience.
She was through with him.
Through
Proceeding from origin to destination without delay due to change of equipment.
The through flight through Memphis was the fastest.
Through
(association football) In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal.
Through
From one side to the other by way of the interior.
The arrow went straight through.
Through
From one end to the other.
Others slept; he worked straight through.
She read the letter through.
Through
During a period of time; throughout
He worked through the night.
Through
To the end.
He said he would see it through.
Through
Completely.
Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through.
Through
Out into the open.
The American army broke through at Saint-Lô.
Through
A large slab of stone laid in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.
Through
(obsolete) A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb.
Through
From end to end of, or from side to side of; from one surface or limit of, to the opposite; into and out of at the opposite, or at another, point; as, to bore through a piece of timber, or through a board; a ball passes through the side of a ship.
Through
Between the sides or walls of; within; as, to pass through a door; to go through an avenue.
Through the gate of ivory he dismissedHis valiant offspring.
Through
By means of; by the agency of.
Through these hands this science has passed with great applause.
Material things are presented only through their senses.
Through
Over the whole surface or extent of; as, to ride through the country; to look through an account.
Through
Among or in the midst of; - used to denote passage; as, a fish swims through the water; the light glimmers through a thicket.
Through
From the beginning to the end of; to the end or conclusion of; as, through life; through the year.
Through
From one end or side to the other; as, to pierce a thing through.
Through
From beginning to end; as, to read a letter through.
Through
To the end; to a conclusion; to the ultimate purpose; as, to carry a project through.
Through
Going or extending through; going, extending, or serving from the beginning to the end; thorough; complete; as, a through line; a through ticket; a through train. Also, admitting of passage through; as, a through bridge.
Through
Having finished or arrived at completion;
Certain to make history before he's done
It's a done deed
After the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up
Almost through with his studies
Through
Of a route or journey etc.; continuing without requiring stops or changes;
A through street
A through bus
Through traffic
Through
From one end or side to the other;
Jealousy pierced her through
Through
From beginning to end;
Read this book through
Through
Over the whole distance;
This bus goes through to New York
Through
To completion;
Think this through very carefully!
Through
In diameter;
This cylinder measures 15 inches through
Through
Throughout the entire extent;
Got soaked through in the rain
I'm frozen through
A letter shot through with the writer's personality
Knew him through and through
Boards rotten through and through
Common Curiosities
Is through only used in physical contexts?
No, through can also describe abstract processes, like solving a problem.
What does through mean in a sentence?
Through often indicates movement from one side to another within something.
Can thorough describe a person's work ethic?
Yes, it can indicate someone's meticulous and diligent approach to tasks.
Can through be used to describe time?
Yes, through can describe the duration from start to end of a period.
Is thorough always positive?
Generally, yes, as it conveys completeness and attention to detail, though it may imply excessive meticulousness in some contexts.
Can thorough be used in a negative sense?
Rarely, it might imply an overly meticulous approach that is unnecessary.
Can through imply success or completion?
Yes, it can indicate that something has been successfully navigated or completed.
How do prepositions affect the meanings of through and thorough?
Prepositions can refine their meanings, indicating specific types of movement or degrees of detail.
Is there a spatial aspect to thorough?
Indirectly, as it might imply covering all parts of a space in detail, though it's more about depth than spatial movement.
What does thorough mean?
Thorough describes something done with completeness, attention to detail, and without omission.
How does through relate to methods or processes?
Through can describe the means or process by which something is achieved.
Do through and thorough have any commonalities?
Both can be related to processes, with through focusing on the passage and thorough on the depth.
How does context affect the use of through and thorough?
Context determines whether the focus is on the passage (through) or the depth and completeness (thorough).
Can thorough apply to personal traits?
Yes, it can describe someone's careful, meticulous nature in their work or habits.
How do through and thorough interact in a practical scenario?
In practice, one might move through a process (through) while ensuring every step is done thoroughly.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
