a cursory visit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cursory visit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or superficial visit, often implying that the visit was not thorough or detailed. Example: "During my trip to the city, I only had time for a cursory visit to the museum, so I missed many of the exhibits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We didn't actually fully investigate them, we just made a cursory visit and went back to all of our keyboards looking at everybody's emails and text messages.

The Guardian

For instance, after a cursory visit to the Williams-Sonoma Web site, which promised New Year's Eve delivery for orders placed by 3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Friday, I phoned to double-check.

The New York Times - Tech

I paid only a cursory visit to the koalas at Healesville because I intended to drive east to the beautiful national park at Wilson's Promontory, affectionately known as the Prom, and find my koalas in the wild.

The New York Times - Magazine

Often, Mr. Selby hears about a compelling home through friends, and after a cursory visit he sets up a shoot — a process, he says, that is loose and collaborative.

The New York Times

Even a cursory visit to a national park can inform visitors that "climate change is manifesting itself everywhere".

Huffington Post

No longer will there be a cursory visit with the physician entering information into a laptop without ever looking the patient in the eye.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Not only did Wittgenstein, on a by no means cursory visit to the Soviet Union in 1935, grasp little of the nature of the regime, but the ascent of Nazism left him either indifferent or blind.

The Guardian - Books

*Even the most cursory visit to any major metropolitan museum or reading of any major literary canon would show that rather than damaging human civilization, religious cultures have constituted it.

The New York Times - Science

Some councils are still commissioning 15-minute care visits, despite strong government guidance that such cursory visits are seen as wholly inadequate.

The Guardian

I have no strong feelings for or against the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit, and give only a cursory look as a segment on the evening news.

The Guardian - Opinion

We decided to loop back for a second visit to the Sistine Chapel after completing a cursory view of the galleries that follow it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cursory visit" when you want to emphasize that the examination or stay was not thorough or detailed due to time constraints or lack of interest. For instance, "Due to the limited time, we could only pay "a cursory visit" to the historical site".

Common error

Avoid using "a cursory visit" when the subject actually demands a thorough investigation. It might undermine the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cursory visit" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the nature of a visit, emphasizing its brevity and lack of thoroughness, as supported by examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cursory visit" is a noun phrase used to describe a brief and not very detailed examination or stay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "a brief visit" or "a quick stop", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended level of detail; avoid using it when a more thorough investigation is expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief visit

Emphasizes the short duration of the visit.

a quick stop

Highlights the speed and brevity of the visit.

a fleeting visit

Conveys the impression that the visit was very short and quick.

a short stay

Focuses on the limited time spent at a location.

a superficial inspection

Highlights the lack of thoroughness in the visit, focusing more on examination.

a perfunctory examination

Indicates a lack of genuine interest or effort in the visit/examination.

a passing glance

Suggests a very brief and casual observation.

a once-over

Informal way of saying a quick and superficial look.

a whistle-stop tour

Describes a rapid tour with brief stops at multiple locations.

a fly-by visit

An informal expression for a very quick visit.

FAQs

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

You can use "a cursory visit" to describe a brief or superficial examination or stay. For example, "The inspector paid only "a cursory visit" to the factory, so many issues remained unnoticed".

What are some alternatives to "a cursory visit"?

Alternatives include "a brief visit", "a quick stop", or "a fleeting visit", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a cursory visit" is appropriate in formal writing when you intend to convey that an examination or stay was not detailed or thorough. However, be mindful of the context; if thoroughness is expected, this phrase might imply negligence.

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

"A cursory visit" implies a brief and superficial examination, while "a thorough investigation" indicates a detailed and comprehensive inquiry. They are opposites in terms of depth and attention.