a casual reading of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a casual reading of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically indicates that a person is looking at something in a less-than-concentrated, or even superficial way. For example: "A casual reading of the poem suggests that the author had a pessimistic view of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In January she arranged a casual reading of the John Guare script by calling a group of friends.

The New York Times

As a casual reading of Brown's annual Mansion House speeches demonstrates, he became more and more sycophantic with each year that passed.

The Guardian - Books

A casual reading of the news reveals the precarious nature of this claim; our adversaries understand the enduring relevance of nuclear weapons and have sought to increase their own capabilities.

The Guardian - Opinion

And he suggests that even "a casual reading of the history of national security suggests not only that the rules of evidence will be ignored in practice, but also that the notion of catastrophe encourages, even insists on, these rules being flouted".

The New York Times - Books

That being said, even with the groundwork laid out more clearly than at any time in recent years, a casual reading of the history of development in the city reminds us that the grand plans of today have a way of falling apart if public support, municipal needs and private profit cannot be made to converge.

The New York Times

A casual reading of the Scottish media would suggest that there is much to be excited about that the whole thing is in fact a complete disaster.Apparently, the Scottish executive, the devolved Scottish government, is in uproar because ministers are fighting each other to succeed Donald Dewar, the first minister, who will be off work for three months because he needs a heart operation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They hate Obama so much they'd vote for Romney?" Evidently so — not that you'd know it from a casual read of the print edition of today's Times.

The New Yorker

A casual read of the US Senate's 500-page report on the CIA's medieval torture programme leaves the impression that Britain's role in the "war on terror" was conducted above the law and without the need to engage in such barbaric practices.

Independent

You certainly would not know through a casual read of profiles on many dating sites and apps; you might get the opposite impression and be fooled into thinking the infection has gone on some extended holiday, like an aging Hollywood starlet.

Huffington Post

Steven S. Schwartzberg's "A Crisis of Meaning" is not a casual read for a Sunday afternoon, nor is it a spiritual guide.

Los Angeles Times

Born of a casual reading at the Sundance Institute's Theater Lab, the production retains a scruffy vibe that lends it an air of informality, even spontaneity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a casual reading of" when you want to convey that someone has reviewed something without deep analysis or focused attention. It's appropriate when describing a first impression or a superficial understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a casual reading of" when you actually mean a thorough study or in-depth analysis. This phrase implies a lack of deep engagement with the material, so it would be misleading to use it otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a casual reading of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of reading something in a relaxed or superficial manner, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a casual reading of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a superficial or initial understanding of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from various sources, including News & Media and Academia. While not overly formal, it serves to communicate a lack of in-depth analysis, as well as an informal type of tone. When writing, consider if it adequately conveys the depth of the analysis. Otherwise, consider using alternatives such as "a cursory examination of" or "a superficial understanding of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cursory examination of

Suggests a brief and often superficial review, similar to a casual reading, but may imply slightly more scrutiny.

a quick glance at

Emphasizes the brevity and speed of the review, highlighting the lack of in-depth analysis.

a superficial understanding of

Focuses on the lack of deep comprehension resulting from the reading.

a light perusal of

Indicates a gentle and unhurried reading, implying a lack of serious engagement.

a brief overview of

Highlights the summarizing nature of the reading, rather than a detailed analysis.

an initial impression of

Stresses that the understanding is preliminary and based on a first encounter.

a passing acquaintance with

Suggests a slight familiarity, stemming from minimal engagement with the material.

a preliminary assessment of

Highlights the evaluation aspect, while indicating that it's based on incomplete information.

a basic grasp of

Indicates a fundamental comprehension achieved through a relatively simple reading.

a glimpse into

Suggests a brief and incomplete view, obtained without thorough reading.

FAQs

How can I use "a casual reading of" in a sentence?

You can use "a casual reading of" to suggest a quick or superficial understanding, such as: "A casual reading of the contract didn't reveal any red flags."

What's a good alternative to "a casual reading of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a cursory examination of", "a quick glance at", or "a superficial understanding of".

What does "a casual reading of" imply?

It implies that the reader didn't engage in a deep or detailed analysis. Instead, they gained a general or surface-level understanding.

Is "a casual reading of" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "a casual reading of" might be too informal for some academic or professional contexts. In such cases, consider using a more precise or formal alternative such as "a preliminary assessment of".