a light perusal of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a light perusal of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a casual or brief reading of a text or document. Example: "After a light perusal of the report, I found some interesting insights worth discussing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Any light perusal of any news archive would bear this summary out.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this light, a perusal of the representative patterns of conserved gene sequences appears to indicate a possible relationship between the numbers of the various nucleotides in conserved gene sequences.

Plosone

THIS weekend, "Taste Makers of an Era: A Perusal of the Architectural Works of Andrew Jackson Downing, Calvert Vaux, Frederick C. Withers and Frederick Law Olmsted," takes place in Newburgh, N.Y.

The New York Times

A quick perusal of recent newspaper headlines makes clear that hedge funds are squarely on the radar of a wider cross-section of society than ever before.

Forbes

This is one of many interesting facts to be gleaned from a perusal of a new magazine called 02138.

The New York Times

Imagining how different things were takes a leap of faith, though a perusal of these now-historical pictures should help.

Vice

A quick perusal of the pages confirmed their authenticity.

The New Yorker

A brief perusal of the screen in front of me reveals everything I need to know.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But elections are not won or lost by a detailed perusal of Treasury estimates.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Much less interesting, and also less frightening, than a daily perusal of the business pages.

The New York Times

A quick perusal of its sprawling menu is all but impossible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, ensure that the object of the "light perusal" is clearly defined and that the context makes the scope of the examination understandable to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a light perusal of" when you actually mean a detailed analysis. This phrase suggests a quick, superficial look, so using it when a thorough examination was conducted would be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a light perusal of" functions as a noun phrase that describes the act of briefly examining something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a light perusal of" is a phrase used to describe a brief, non-thorough examination or reading of something. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, often implying a casual or superficial overview. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards slightly more formal language. Alternative phrases include "a brief examination of" and "a quick look at". Despite its correctness, the absence of real-world examples indicates a need to consider context carefully when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A brief examination of

Replaces "perusal" with a more common synonym, focusing on the brevity of the examination.

A quick look at

Uses simpler language to convey a rapid and superficial assessment.

A cursory review of

Emphasizes the superficial and not thorough nature of the review.

A casual glance at

Highlights the informality and lack of deep engagement with the subject.

A superficial inspection of

Stresses the lack of depth in the examination.

A swift overview of

Focuses on the speed and general nature of the review.

A passing observation of

Suggests a very brief and almost accidental encounter with the material.

A short study of

Refers to a concise, succinct analysis of something

A glimpse at

Suggests a fleeting and incomplete view.

A brief scan of

Highlights the act of quickly scanning or skimming the material.

FAQs

What does "a light perusal of" mean?

The phrase "a light perusal of" refers to a quick or casual reading or examination of something, implying a lack of thoroughness. It suggests glancing over material rather than studying it in depth.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a light perusal of"?

Use "a light perusal of" when you want to indicate that you've briefly reviewed something without going into great detail. It's appropriate when a superficial understanding is sufficient or when time is limited.

What are some alternatives to "a light perusal of"?

You can use alternatives like "a brief examination of", "a quick look at", or "a cursory review of" depending on the specific context.

Is "a light perusal of" considered formal or informal language?

"A light perusal of" is generally considered somewhat formal but can be used in various contexts. It's more formal than phrases like "a quick look at" but less formal than "a comprehensive analysis of".