A summary of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A summary of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a brief overview or condensed version of a larger text or topic. Example: "A summary of the main findings from the research paper reveals significant trends in consumer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A summary of the ongoing debate.

The New Yorker

A Summary of Justice Scalia's Bench Statement.

The New York Times

A summary of US president Barack Obama's speech is here.

The Guardian

A summary of the bill offered grim statistics.

The New York Times

A summary of this discussion follows.

Science Magazine

A summary of the major findings follows.

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

A summary of the report is presented.

EJNMMI Physics

(A summary of these studies can be found, here).

Huffington Post

A summary of the current drama can be found here.

Huffington Post

A summary of feedback from the Humboldt Park community?

Huffington Post

A summary of the conference report is here.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a summary of", ensure it accurately reflects the original content without introducing personal opinions or biases.

Common error

Avoid making "a summary of" too broad or vague, which can mislead the reader. Include specific details to provide a meaningful overview.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a summary of" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a determiner followed by a noun, indicating a concise representation of something larger. It is used to introduce or refer to a shortened version of information, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a summary of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a concise overview or condensed version of something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When writing, ensure the summary remains unbiased and includes specific details to avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "an overview of" or "a synopsis of" based on the specific context. This phrase functions as a noun phrase and maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An overview of

Focuses on providing a general view rather than a detailed condensation.

A synopsis of

Implies a brief, plot-focused account, especially for creative works.

A recap of

Suggests a review of something that has already occurred.

A digest of

Emphasizes a collection of essential information.

A condensation of

Highlights the act of reducing something in size or volume.

A brief account of

Underscores the brevity and narrative aspect.

An outline of

Stresses the structural framework rather than a complete summary.

A précis of

Indicates a highly accurate and concise abstract.

A conspectus of

Suggests a comprehensive survey or overview.

An abstract of

Implies a formal, academic overview often used in research.

FAQs

How can I use "a summary of" in a sentence?

You can use "a summary of" to introduce a condensed version of a text, event, or topic. For example, "A summary of the report highlights key findings".

What are some alternatives to "a summary of"?

Alternatives include "an overview of", "a synopsis of", or "a recap of" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a brief summary of"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "a brief summary of" can be seen as slightly redundant since a summary is inherently brief. Using just "a summary of" is usually sufficient.

What is the difference between "a summary of" and "the summary of"?

"A summary of" refers to a general instance of summarizing something. "The summary of" refers to a specific, previously mentioned summary. For example, "Here is a summary of the meeting" vs. "The summary of the meeting was helpful".