a cursory statement

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cursory statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that has been said or done quickly or without much thought or detail. For example: "He made a cursory statement about the new policy, but no one was sure what it meant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Perhaps the fact they have not yet tried to explain their approach to this saga beyond a cursory statement is also simple.

The Guardian - Sport

Miliband, 47, whose parents were refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe, issued a cursory statement Saturday night within minutes of di Canio's appointment, announcing he was quitting his $190,000-a-year post on the club's board.

The New York Times - Sports

This delay, and the lack of operational details contained in a cursory statement, suggests that the group's senior leadership in Syria or Iraq were unaware of the strike before it occurred.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The complexities and intricacies of Wall Street and the City of London were largely ignored, except for a few cursory statements about bank bailouts and excessive compensation that have been stapled on to their wish list.

Forbes

The complexities and intricacies of Wall Street appear to be largely ignored, except for a few cursory statements about bank bailouts and excessive compensation that have been stapled on to their wish list.

Forbes

But it quickly evaporated when the two negotiators appeared separately, and with cursory statements, after the meeting at Lancaster House, an 18th-century mansion in central London that is often used for diplomatic talks.

The New York Times

"Slavery, in fact, is hardly acknowledged in the letters, except in cursory statements about acquaintances being sold or having new masters".

Huffington Post

MISMATCHED NUMBERS Even a cursory glance at income statements and balance sheets in a company's 10K report can turn up curious figures.

The New York Times

My point is simply that "Warren Buffett is a macro trader" is a lot closer to the actual reality than most people would think or that a cursory look at his statements would indicate.

Forbes

Jonathan Harris, director of mortgage broker Anderson Harris, says that under the old rules the borrower declared their outgoings and the lender took a cursory look at their bank statements (typically you need to provide your last three months' worth).

The Guardian - Money

And yet even a cursory attempt at researching their statements brings up condemnations and attempts to start anti-terrorism campaigns from hundreds of scholars here, here, and here.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cursory statement" when you want to emphasize the lack of detail or thoroughness in a communication. It's suitable when the context implies a quick or superficial treatment of a subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a cursory statement" in contexts where a thorough and detailed explanation is expected. Opt for more descriptive terms that reflect the depth of analysis provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cursory statement" functions as a noun phrase, where "cursory" modifies the noun "statement". It describes the nature of the statement being made, indicating that it is brief, superficial, or lacking in detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cursory statement" describes a brief, superficial remark or communication, as Ludwig AI states. Grammatically sound, its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When writing, use it to emphasize a lack of detail or thoroughness, but avoid it in formal settings where a detailed explanation is warranted. Alternatives like "a brief remark" or "a superficial comment" can offer nuanced substitutes. The phrase serves to quickly convey information, acknowledging its incompleteness. It is a noun phrase to define and reduce the importance or complexity of an event or subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief remark

Focuses on the brevity of the statement.

a superficial comment

Emphasizes the lack of depth or thoroughness in the comment.

a concise summary

Conveys the characteristic of expressing or covering many things briefly.

a passing mention

Highlights the fleeting nature of the reference.

a hasty explanation

Focuses on the speed and potential incompleteness of the explanation.

a perfunctory declaration

Stresses the routine or indifferent manner of the declaration.

a quick note

Underscores the speed and conciseness of the note.

a summary overview

Highlights that only the main and broad points of the topic are covered.

a shallow analysis

Shifts from a statement to a more analytical process, highlighting a lack of depth.

a light review

Emphasizes the lack of rigor in the review process.

FAQs

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

You can use "a cursory statement" to describe a brief or superficial remark, for example: "The company issued "a cursory statement" regarding the incident, offering few details".

What are some alternatives to "a cursory statement"?

Some alternatives include "a brief remark", "a superficial comment", or "a passing mention" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a cursory statement" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "a cursory statement" in formal writing might imply a lack of thoroughness. Consider whether a more detailed description would be more appropriate. If you need to mention just the main points, maybe "a concise summary" could be a better fit.

What's the difference between "a cursory statement" and "a detailed explanation"?

"A cursory statement" suggests a brief, superficial overview, while "a detailed explanation" implies a thorough and comprehensive account. The choice depends on the level of depth and information you wish to convey.