a cursory analysis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cursory analysis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quick or superficial examination of a subject or data without going into depth. Example: "After conducting a cursory analysis of the data, we found some interesting trends that warrant further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Even a cursory analysis shows flaws in this picture.

Harvard Business Review

Even a cursory analysis could have alerted them to the gap between market prices and fundamental values.

Harvard Business Review

Upon a cursory analysis, it would seem as though that dang Northeastern region of PBS-watching socialists is the most successful, given its total win counts.

The New Yorker

Even a cursory analysis shows not only that Washington has failed to achieve these aims, but that unilateral sanctions have also often backfired against American interests.

The Guardian

A cursory analysis of the exhibit shows that the permissions price is often a multiple of the number of copies requested, i.e. the number of students supplied.

Harvard University

In a statement submitted to the Ways and Means Committee, the Alliance for Advancing Nonprofit Hospitals called the figures on charitable care a "cursory" analysis that missed crucial differences with commercial hospitals.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Although one might predict that genes containing multiple binding sites would show a higher degree of correlation to Oct4, a very cursory analysis of the data reveals that this is in fact not the case.

Plosone

In their opinion, the judges contended that Goldman , Sachs & Company SCM's investment banker, had conducted a surprisingly cursory analysis of the value of SCM's food and pigments businesses.

The New York Times

For 2002-2008 appeals, given limited availability of publicly accessible information on FTS, a more cursory analysis was conducted to determine the projects' relevance to reproductive health.

Conflict and Health

For example, take a look at this very cursory analysis from brand24.net, a social media analytics service.

TechCrunch

Shearer is uncomplicated to the point of parody, his cursory analysis as a pundit proving painful for a new generation of demanding football observer who craves detail.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cursory analysis" when you want to indicate that you have only performed a superficial examination of something. It implies that you haven't delved deeply into the details.

Common error

Avoid using "a cursory analysis" when you actually mean a comprehensive one. This phrase suggests a lack of depth, so choose it carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cursory analysis" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a verb, indicating the thing being examined, and is modified by the adjective "cursory" to describe the nature of the analysis. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cursory analysis" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a superficial examination. Ludwig's examples show it's frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, highlighting its versatile use across different registers. The related phrases offer nuanced alternatives, while the writing guidance helps avoid misinterpretations. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides real-world examples, confirming its utility in everyday writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick analysis

Replaces "cursory" with "quick", emphasizing speed over thoroughness.

a brief examination

Substitutes both "cursory" and "analysis" with similar terms, focusing on the short and investigative nature.

a superficial assessment

Replaces "analysis" with "assessment" and "cursory" with "superficial", highlighting the lack of depth.

a shallow investigation

Emphasizes the limited depth of the analysis by using the adjective "shallow" and replacing "analysis" with "investigation".

a preliminary review

Suggests that the analysis is an initial step, using "preliminary" to convey its introductory nature and "review" as a substitute for "analysis".

a surface-level study

Replaces "analysis" with "study" and uses "surface-level" to indicate the lack of in-depth examination.

a light inspection

Uses "light" to describe the analysis, implying minimal effort, and replaces "analysis" with "inspection".

a passing glance

Suggests an even quicker and less thorough assessment, focusing on the brief duration of the analysis.

a perfunctory examination

Replaces "cursory" with "perfunctory", emphasizing the routine and indifferent nature of the analysis.

a basic overview

Indicates a simple and generalized analysis, focusing on the fundamental aspects without delving into details.

FAQs

What does "a cursory analysis" mean?

The phrase "a cursory analysis" refers to a superficial or quick examination of something, lacking thoroughness or depth.

How can I use "a cursory analysis" in a sentence?

You might say, "After "a cursory analysis" of the report, I identified a few key areas for improvement."

What can I say instead of "a cursory analysis"?

You can use alternatives like "a quick analysis", "a brief examination", or "a superficial assessment".

Is "a cursory analysis" the same as "a detailed analysis"?

No, "a cursory analysis" implies a lack of thoroughness, whereas a detailed analysis suggests a comprehensive and in-depth examination.