a cursory evaluation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cursory evaluation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quick or superficial assessment of something without going into detail. Example: "After a cursory evaluation of the report, I realized that more in-depth analysis was needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Normal would be a Costa Mesa where the City Council majority doesn't issue mass layoff notices to employees before doing even a cursory evaluation as to whether their jobs could or should be outsourced.

Los Angeles Times

This section presents a cursory evaluation of the IDRC common pool woodlots in Matameye.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

A cursory evaluation of this table leads to the simple conclusion that preclinical models were poor predictors of clinical trial outcomes.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A cursory glance at the materials produced by the American Educational Research Association AERAA) would reveal this fact.

The New York Times - Science

"In fact, the cursory evaluation of alternative routes, which was not completed until Dec. 6, 2000, appears to be an attempt to justify the proposed in-harbor route," the council wrote.

The New York Times

Dinkins, disbanded a 66-member oversight staff, substituting a cooperative process with more cursory evaluations.

The New York Times

Team members' convictions about the merits of the project may lead them to make cursory evaluations if they fear that a deep assessment, including a frank voicing of doubts, might imperil the project.

Harvard Business Review

All sitting presidents should be evaluated, though most presidential physical exams have included only cursory evaluations of their mental health.

The New York Times

But for other types of food, like fungi, bacteria (in yogurt, for instance) and new varieties of produce, only cursory evaluations, if any, are done.

The New York Times - Science

Yet I've also seen the other side, where black patients have received cursory evaluations and callous misdiagnoses based upon negative stereotypes.

The New York Times

Now the agency, part of the Health and Human Services Department, is facing tough scrutiny from Congress and the threat of reform legislation, with some lawmakers accusing it of cursory evaluations that often get the science wrong and ignore independent studies and community complaints.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cursory evaluation" when you want to emphasize that an assessment was quick, not thorough, and possibly lacking in detail. Be mindful of the context to ensure it doesn't imply negligence if a more thorough evaluation was warranted.

Common error

Avoid using "a cursory evaluation" when you actually mean a comprehensive or detailed evaluation. The word 'cursory' implies a lack of depth, so ensure your word choice accurately reflects the level of analysis performed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cursory evaluation" functions as a noun phrase, where "cursory" modifies the noun "evaluation". According to Ludwig AI, it suggests a quick and superficial assessment. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use in describing initial or incomplete analyses.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cursory evaluation" is a noun phrase indicating a quick, superficial assessment. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and is used to denote a lack of depth in an analysis or review. While relatively rare in occurrence, as shown by Ludwig's examples, it appears in news, scientific, and business contexts. Related phrases include "a superficial assessment" and "a brief assessment". When using this phrase, ensure that the context appropriately reflects the limited nature of the evaluation and that a more thorough analysis is not implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a superficial assessment

Replaces 'cursory' with 'superficial', emphasizing the lack of depth.

a brief assessment

Replaces 'cursory' with 'brief', focusing on the short duration of the assessment.

a quick review

Uses 'quick' and 'review' to suggest a rapid overview rather than an in-depth analysis.

a light appraisal

Substitutes 'cursory' with 'light' and 'evaluation' with 'appraisal', implying a less serious examination.

a surface examination

Focuses on the lack of depth by using 'surface' instead of 'cursory' and 'examination' instead of 'evaluation'.

a preliminary assessment

Highlights the initial and not final nature of the evaluation.

a passing glance

Emphasizes the very minimal effort involved in the observation.

a perfunctory review

Replaces 'cursory' with 'perfunctory', highlighting the routine and indifferent nature of the review.

a shallow investigation

Implies a lack of depth in the investigative process.

a basic check

Conveys a simple and fundamental level of inspection.

FAQs

How to use "a cursory evaluation" in a sentence?

You can use "a cursory evaluation" to describe a quick or superficial assessment, for example, "After a cursory evaluation of the data, we decided to proceed with further analysis."

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

You can use alternatives like "a superficial assessment", "a brief assessment", or "a quick review" depending on the context.

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

"A cursory evaluation" implies a quick, surface-level assessment, while "a thorough evaluation" suggests a detailed and comprehensive analysis. They are essentially opposites.

When is it appropriate to use "a cursory evaluation"?

Use "a cursory evaluation" when the assessment is intentionally brief due to time constraints, low importance, or as an initial step before a more in-depth analysis. However, ensure that a more detailed review isn't required.