extensively

Extensively is an adverb that describes doing something to a great extent, widely, or in a thorough and comprehensive manner. It often accompanies verbs that indicate coverage, investigation, study, travel, or documentation, as in “the region was extensively surveyed” or “the topic has been extensively discussed.”

Etymology and form: Extensively is derived from the adjective extensive, which itself comes from Latin extensus, the past participle of extendere. The suffix -ly forms the adverb. Related words include extent, extension, and extensive, the latter being the corresponding adjective describing breadth or scope.

Usage and meaning: Extensively signals breadth, depth, or degree. It can modify verbs (survey, research, cover), adjectives (extensively educated), or even other adverbs in some constructions. Common collocations include extensively researched, extensively covered, and travel or work that is conducted extensively. In academic and journalistic writing, it conveys that a source or study examines many aspects or a large territory, rather than a narrow focus.

Distinctions and synonyms: Extensively contrasts with narrowly or superficially. It is close in meaning to widely, comprehensively, or in depth, though each synonym carries its own nuance. While extensively emphasizes scope and thoroughness, extensively does not specify quality by itself; additional context is needed to indicate positive or negative evaluation.

Usage notes: Avoid overuse in tight prose, but it is appropriate when the writer intends to convey thorough coverage or broad applicability. Like other adverbs, its placement can affect emphasis but typically appears near the verb it modifies.