a cursory report

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cursory report" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a report that is brief and lacks detailed analysis or thoroughness. Example: "The manager requested a cursory report on the project's progress to quickly assess the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Still, the directors of the Industrial Development Agency are expected to tentatively approve the special financing for the project today without getting more than a cursory report on the hearing.

The New York Times

After Bonds hit two home runs in one game the other week, Japan's biggest-selling sports daily, Nikkan Sports, ran only a cursory report with a small photograph, buried on Page 7. Oh, now manager of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, has refused to criticize Bonds and has remarked that steroid use has not always been illegal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He has a cursory account of Koestler's assignation in the Schneidemühl paper mill with the boss of the underground Apparat N, and of his reports to the mysterious Edgar, delivered under the nom de guerre Ivan Steinberg.

The New Yorker

Notwithstanding that the overwhelming majority of Muslims loathe terrorism, the myth that only Muslims engage in extremism falls flat on its face with a cursory review of any US State Department Report, FBI Report, or Human Rights Watch Report.

Huffington Post

A cursory glance at industry reports would show that the market share has hovered around three per cent since the mid-nineteen-eighties.

The New Yorker

Third, one need only a cursory understanding of the 9/11 Commission Report to know that a large portion of the report regarding the planning and carrying out of the 9/11 attacks was collected and based upon Khalid Sheikh Mohammed interrogations.

Huffington Post

But a cursory review of DOJ's report, even focused just on one of DOJ's key findings, makes it clear the issues in Ferguson were not limited to a handful of rogue cops.

Huffington Post

A cursory review of the data reported recently by CB Insights would seem to support the fact that the Series A crunch is a market reality.

TechCrunch

In contrast with the confidence found in secondary reports, even a cursory inspection of the primary sources shows that they are highly varied in terms of data quality and integrity, involving often-small samples and disparate measures usually obtained under difficult practical constraints in single companies or institutions.

Applied Developmental Science

It was a cursory, four-paragraph news story: the Times of India last October reported the case of four Indian workers who were killed while cleaning manholes in Doha.

The Guardian

A cursory look at Creedon's interim report is enough to confirm that Francis was correct.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cursory report" when you want to convey that the report provides only a basic understanding or overview, without delving into intricate details. It's appropriate when time or resources are limited.

Common error

Don't use "a cursory report" if you actually expect or require a detailed and comprehensive analysis. This phrase explicitly indicates a lack of depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cursory report" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "cursory" modifies the noun "report". It typically acts as the object of a verb, indicating the type of report being created or reviewed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cursory report" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, indicating a brief and not particularly detailed report. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its common use in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to manage expectations, as it explicitly conveys a lack of depth. Alternatives such as "a brief summary" or "a quick overview" may be suitable depending on the context. While grammatically sound, the phrase's infrequent occurrence suggests considering more descriptive alternatives when detail is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief summary

Emphasizes the conciseness of the report.

a quick overview

Highlights the speed and superficiality of the report.

a superficial assessment

Focuses on the lack of depth in the evaluation.

a preliminary account

Suggests the report is an initial, and potentially incomplete, version.

a rough draft

Implies the report is unfinished and requires further refinement.

a light review

Indicates a less rigorous examination.

a perfunctory examination

Highlights the lack of genuine interest or effort in the review.

a passing mention

Emphasizes the brief and insignificant nature of the report.

a short account

Focuses on the limited length of the report.

a thumbnail sketch

Suggests a very basic and incomplete representation.

FAQs

What does "a cursory report" mean?

The phrase "a cursory report" refers to a report that is brief, superficial, and lacks thorough analysis. It suggests a quick overview without detailed examination.

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

You can use it to describe a report that doesn't provide deep insights, such as, "The manager only requested "a cursory report" to get a general idea of the project's status."

What are some alternatives to "a cursory report"?

Alternatives include "a brief summary", "a quick overview", or "a superficial assessment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to request "a cursory report"?

It's appropriate when a detailed analysis is not necessary or when time is limited and only a general understanding is needed. However, ensure that the brevity doesn't compromise essential information.