Cool MateExtensively vs Thoroughly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extensively
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Thoroughly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Extensively | Thoroughly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstensɪvli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstensɪvli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈθʌrəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈθɜːrəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a very detailed and wide-ranging way. | In a detailed and complete way. |
| Example | She has travelled extensively. | We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | research extensively, study extensively, travel extensively, document extensively | thoroughly enjoy, thoroughly check, thoroughly understand, thoroughly investigate, thoroughly cleanse |
| Antonyms | superficially, shallowly | superficially, partially, incompletely |
| Common mistakes | Confuse with 'intensively' which means deeply focused but not necessarily wide in scope., Using it in a sentence where the action isn't broad or detailed enough., Incorrectly using it as a noun instead of an adverb. | Using 'through' instead of 'thoroughly'., Confusing it with 'thorough', which is an adjective., Misplacing it in a sentence or using it in informal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'extensively' when describing actions that are done in-depth or in a large scope. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but may feel overly formal in casual conversations. | Use this word to describe actions done completely and carefully. It's suitable in both speaking and writing. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler words like 'really' or 'very' may be more common. |
Frequently asked questions: Extensively vs Thoroughly
What's the difference between Extensively and Thoroughly?
Extensively: In a very detailed and wide-ranging way. Thoroughly: In a detailed and complete way.
Are Extensively and Thoroughly the same CEFR level?
Extensively: B2, Thoroughly: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Extensively and Thoroughly interchangeably?
Not always. Extensively and Thoroughly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.