a cursory check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cursory check" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a quick review, usually of a document or situation. For example, "I gave the paper a cursory check before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

She went behind the fence with a male officer, who did a cursory check.

The Washington Post

A cursory check with the Honduran authorities would have found that the Sanei 1 was not even registered.

The Economist

"However, given our limited knowledge, we would have thought that even a cursory check would have produced some interesting results".

The Guardian

After a cursory check, we pass through the gates and a Jeep runs us up to the house.

The Guardian

If I were a woman travelling alone, I might also like to think that a cursory check had been made into the driver's criminal background.

The Economist

We're so desperate for a lift that we don't even do a cursory check to see if he's obviously a psychopath before getting in.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

There are also security questions that need to be addressed with more than a cursory check-the-box.

Forbes

On the return, the backup precautions were limited to a cursory passport check at the gate.

The New York Times - Travel

Others are provided by the Kenya police reserve, which makes a cursory background check before handing out weapons to civilians.

The New York Times

Insulated only by a door, a railing, a 45-minute wait for a table, maybe a cursory bag check.

The Washington Post

For example, the city investigators said state development officials asked for only a cursory background check on Galt, one that would not uncover the relationship its key executives had with Safeway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cursory check", ensure the context clarifies why the check is not thorough. For instance, limited time, resources, or importance might justify it.

Common error

Avoid relying on "a cursory check" when a thorough investigation is required. In critical situations, a superficial assessment can lead to errors and omissions with significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cursory check" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb. It describes the act of performing a quick or superficial examination. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cursory check" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a quick and superficial examination. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is used correctly in a variety of contexts, most frequently in News & Media. The usage suggests a level of scrutiny that is not thorough, often due to time constraints or the perceived importance of the task. While generally acceptable, it's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that the level of assessment is appropriate for the situation and doesn't lead to critical oversights. Alternatives such as "a brief inspection" or "a quick scan" can be used to convey similar meanings. Remember that relying only on "a cursory check" when more in-depth research is needed is not recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief inspection

Replaces 'check' with 'inspection' and 'cursory' with 'brief', emphasizing the quick nature of the examination.

a quick scan

Uses 'scan' instead of 'check', implying a rapid and superficial overview.

a superficial examination

Substitutes 'cursory' with 'superficial' and 'check' with 'examination', highlighting the lack of depth.

a light review

Replaces 'check' with 'review' and 'cursory' with 'light', suggesting a less thorough assessment.

a perfunctory assessment

Uses 'perfunctory' to emphasize the routine and often indifferent nature of the check, and replaces 'check' with 'assessment'.

a fast overview

Substitutes both adjectives and nouns to convey a sense of speed and generality.

a preliminary investigation

Implies the check is an initial step in a larger investigative process.

a swift appraisal

Replaces 'check' with 'appraisal' and 'cursory' with 'swift', suggesting a quick evaluation.

a fleeting glance

Uses 'glance' instead of 'check', emphasizing the brevity and visual nature of the action.

a once-over

An idiomatic replacement for 'a cursory check', indicating a quick and informal examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "a cursory check" to describe a quick or superficial examination of something, like "The customs officer gave my passport "a cursory check" before allowing me to enter the country".

What's the difference between "a cursory check" and "a thorough investigation"?

"A cursory check" implies a brief and superficial examination, while "a thorough investigation" involves a detailed and comprehensive inquiry.

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

Alternatives include "a brief inspection", "a quick scan", or "a superficial examination", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to perform "a cursory check" versus a more detailed assessment?

"A cursory check" is appropriate when time is limited, the risk is low, or a more detailed assessment is unnecessary. For example, you might perform "a cursory check" of your email spam folder before deleting all the messages.