a cursory response

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cursory response" is correct and usable in written English.
It means a quick or surface-level response rather than a thorough one. Example sentence: After receiving a cursory response to my inquiry, I knew they weren't taking the issue seriously.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Asked whether he would put himself forward in the event of a Labour leadership contest, Corbyn offered a cursory response.

The Guardian

Distancing behaviors may include changing the topic, ignoring the topic completely, or providing a cursory response such as premature reassurance, and then moving on to another topic.

Cancer Management and Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He allowed me one question, to which he provided a cursory answer.

The New Yorker

As earlier, while the contig size analysis indicates all of the following assemblers, ARACHNE, CABOG, PCAP and TIGR producing better performance, a cursory inspection of the Feature-Response curve points to a different conclusion.

Plosone

Responses have been predictably vicious, as a cursory glance at comments on a Daily Mail article will attest: * "Total waste of funding for a fat, pompous, self narcissistic trailer trash woman".

Independent

A cursory look at Letters From London would make such a response unlikely.

The Guardian - Books

He said the only response he had received from church authorities had been in the form of a "cursory e-mail" giving the numbers of counselors he could talk to who were based "hundreds of miles" from where he lived.

The New York Times

Even a cursory reading of the special issue reinforces the view that our understanding of genetic and plastic responses to climate change is still in its infancy.

Evolutionary Applications

A cursory nod encouraged.

The New York Times

They all eat a cursory dinner.

The New Yorker

"There is a cursory review.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cursory response" when you want to emphasize that an answer or reaction was given quickly and without much attention to detail. It's suitable when the lack of thoroughness is a relevant aspect of the situation.

Common error

While "a cursory response" can imply a lack of care, it doesn't automatically mean the responder was being rude. Sometimes, a brief answer is all that's required or all that can be provided in the given circumstances. Ensure that the context of your writing makes the intended nuance clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cursory response" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. It describes the nature of a reply, indicating its lack of thoroughness. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cursory response" is a noun phrase denoting a quick, superficial, and not particularly detailed answer or reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its usage spans across news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While often implying a lack of care, the context ultimately determines whether the response is perceived negatively. Related phrases include "a perfunctory reply" or "a superficial answer". Remember to consider the specific implications of the phrase when using it in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a perfunctory reply

Replaces "response" with "reply" and "cursory" with "perfunctory", emphasizing the routine and indifferent nature of the answer.

a superficial answer

Substitutes "response" with "answer" and "cursory" with "superficial", highlighting the lack of depth in the reply.

a brief acknowledgement

Replaces "response" with "acknowledgement" and "cursory" with "brief", focusing on the shortness and lack of detail in the reaction.

a hasty reply

Replaces "response" with "reply" and "cursory" with "hasty", indicating a rushed and possibly incomplete answer.

a shallow reaction

Substitutes "response" with "reaction" and "cursory" with "shallow", emphasizing the lack of depth or thought in the response.

a quick answer

Replaces "cursory" with "quick", indicating a fast but potentially incomplete response.

a dismissive reply

Replaces "cursory" with "dismissive", suggesting the response was intended to end the conversation or minimize the importance of the question.

a token response

Replaces "cursory" with "token", suggesting the response was given only to fulfill an obligation, without genuine engagement.

an offhand comment

Replaces the entire phrase with a description of the response as casual and without much consideration.

a minimal response

Replaces "cursory" with "minimal", focusing on the limited amount of information or effort in the response.

FAQs

What does "a cursory response" mean?

It means a superficial or quick response, lacking in depth and detail. It suggests that the person responding didn't put much thought or effort into their answer.

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

You might say, "The politician gave "a cursory response" to the reporter's difficult question, avoiding the main issue."

What are some synonyms for "a cursory response"?

Alternatives include "a perfunctory reply", "a superficial answer", or "a brief acknowledgement" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a cursory response" negative?

It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of care or thoroughness. However, it's not inherently negative; it simply describes the nature of the response. Its negativity depends on the context.