a perfunctory glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"a perfunctory glance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a brief or superficial look or examination of something. Example: The detective gave the room a perfunctory glance, not expecting to find any clues to the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Kramer gave it a perfunctory glance.

The New York Times

After a perfunctory glance at Pedro's coffee field, I was led up to his ramshackle house, and into his cocina.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Bella, interpreting for the visitors, believed for a brief moment that she could have anything — all she needed was to want — but that blissful feeling was cut short by Miss Chu, who was walking across the lawn without casting even the most perfunctory glance at the visitors or at Bella.

The New Yorker

So a quick glance and a perfunctory poke with splayed fingers were my morning ritual.

Independent

A perfunctory greeting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ouellet wrote a perfunctory letter.

The Guardian

Giuliani made not even a perfunctory show of sympathy.

The New Yorker

George Bush has pledged support, but in a perfunctory way.

The Economist

The office did not conduct more than a perfunctory inquiry.

The New York Times

Emer gave her mother a perfunctory kiss and followed them.

The New Yorker

He received a perfunctory response from an Air Force aide.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a perfunctory glance" when you want to convey that someone looked at something quickly and without paying much attention.

Common error

Avoid using "perfunctory" when you mean "perceptive". "Perfunctory" means done without care or interest, while "perceptive" means having keen insight and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perfunctory glance" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun 'glance'. It describes the manner in which the action of glancing is performed, indicating a lack of thoroughness or genuine interest. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in describing routine or uninterested actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a perfunctory glance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a quick, uninterested look. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is correct and readily usable. While "a perfunctory glance" appears most frequently in News & Media sources, Ludwig's examples show it can be employed to depict routine or indifferent observation. Keep in mind that the intention is to portray a lack of thoroughness or genuine interest when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "a cursory look" or "a fleeting glimpse" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cursory look

Replaces "glance" with "look" and "perfunctory" with "cursory", implying a similarly quick and superficial observation.

a quick peek

Substitutes "glance" with "peek", suggesting a furtive or hurried look.

a fleeting glimpse

Uses "glimpse" instead of "glance" and "fleeting" instead of "perfunctory", emphasizing the brevity of the view.

a superficial examination

Replaces "glance" with "examination" and "perfunctory" with "superficial", making the phrase more formal and emphasizing the lack of depth.

a passing look

Uses "look" and "passing" to convey a brief and uninterested observation.

a brief survey

Changes "glance" to "survey", indicating a slightly more structured, though still quick, look.

a hurried scan

Replaces "glance" with "scan" and "perfunctory" with "hurried", suggesting a quick and possibly careless observation.

a casual observation

Emphasizes the lack of seriousness or intent in the looking.

a shallow inspection

Similar to 'superficial examination' but less formal, highlighting the lack of depth.

a routine check

Implies the glance is part of a standard procedure, done without much thought.

FAQs

How can I use "a perfunctory glance" in a sentence?

You can use "a perfunctory glance" to describe a quick, uninterested look. For example, "The inspector gave the document "a perfunctory glance" before signing it".

What does "perfunctory" mean in the context of "a perfunctory glance"?

In this context, "perfunctory" means done routinely and with little interest or care. It suggests the glance was quick and superficial.

What are some synonyms for "a perfunctory glance"?

Alternatives include "a cursory look", "a quick peek", or "a fleeting glimpse", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a perfunctory glance" formal or informal language?

"A perfunctory glance" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While not overly technical, it uses a word ("perfunctory") that is more common in formal writing than in casual conversation.