Listen perfunctorily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Listen perfunctorily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone listens without paying much attention or interest. Example: "During the lecture, many students seemed to listen perfunctorily, their minds wandering elsewhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Listen, listen, listen, listen.

Harvard Business Review

Listen, listen, listen.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Listen, listen.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Listen ?

BBC

Listen, Listen.

BBC

Listen - Listen very carefully.

WikiHow

Listen, listen, listen – Oh yes, Listen to your customers.

WikiHow

Listen genuinely.

WikiHow

The committee perfunctorily listened to candidates for judgeships, court clerk, recorder of deeds, state's attorney, and commissioner posts at the reclamation district and the Board of Review, and then decided in private who'd get its formal backing in the March primary.

The New York Times

listen ….

Cornell University

We listen.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "listen perfunctorily" to describe situations where someone is technically listening, but not actively engaging with or processing the information being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "listen perfunctorily" when you mean someone is simply not listening at all. The phrase implies a superficial level of attention, not a complete absence of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "listen perfunctorily" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "listen". It describes the manner in which someone listens, indicating a lack of genuine interest or engagement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "listen perfunctorily" is grammatically sound and conveys a sense of inattentive or superficial listening. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. Though examples are scarce, the phrase finds potential application across various contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse. While grammatically correct, writers should be mindful of its specific nuance, indicating a superficial level of attention rather than a complete absence of listening.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Listen inattentively

Directly states the lack of attention while listening.

Listen cursorily

Implies a hasty and superficial manner of listening.

Listen distractedly

Highlights the state of being distracted while listening.

Hear without heeding

Implies a lack of attention or consideration given to what is heard.

Listen without engagement

Focuses on the absence of active participation or interest.

Attend superficially

Focuses on the lack of depth in the attention given.

Listen casually

Indicates a relaxed and perhaps overly informal approach to listening.

Hear dismissively

Emphasizes the act of listening with a preconceived negative judgment.

Listen routinely

Suggests listening as a matter of habit without genuine focus.

Listen apathetically

Stresses a lack of emotional response or interest while listening.

FAQs

How can I use "listen perfunctorily" in a sentence?

You can use "listen perfunctorily" to describe a situation where someone is listening without paying much attention or interest. For instance, "During the lecture, many students seemed to "listen perfunctorily", their minds wandering elsewhere."

What's a good alternative to "listen perfunctorily"?

Alternatives include "listen inattentively", "attend superficially", or "hear without heeding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "listen perfunctorily"?

Yes, "listen perfunctorily" is grammatically correct. "Perfunctorily" is an adverb that modifies the verb "listen", indicating how the action is performed.

What does "listen perfunctorily" imply about the listener?

It implies that the listener is not genuinely engaged with what is being said and is only giving a superficial level of attention, often due to boredom, disinterest, or obligation.