a quick scan of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick scan of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a brief examination or review of something, such as a document or information. Example: "After a quick scan of the report, I noticed several key points that needed further discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before I embark I do a quick scan of online guides to learning poetry by heart.

The Guardian - Books

A quick scan of the papers demonstrates that most experts are still mystified by this team.

The Guardian - Sport

The ayes had it, a quick scan of the room made clear, 90 to 11.

The New York Times

"I can't see anything from a quick scan of Scottish Cup and FA Cup finals".

The Guardian - Sport

A quick scan of the ingredients revealed the trace presence of milk.

The New York Times - Magazine

(A quick scan of its pages reveals 12 "fucks", 27 "shits" and eight "cunts").

The Guardian - Books

A quick scan of Business Weeks top MBA programs lists tuitions well north of $25k per year.

Harvard Business Review

A quick scan of the units under its command tells why.

The New York Times

A quick scan of today's drinking scene illustrates the cocktail's new currency.

The New York Times - Food

A quick scan of the genealogy on both sides of young George's ancestry suggested another ominous pattern.

The New York Times - Books

At O'Hare airport, Pete Fischer, a Chicago police officer, stopped vehicles at random for a quick scan of the trunk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick scan of" when you want to convey a brief, non-exhaustive review or examination. This implies that you are not going into great depth but are instead getting a general overview.

Common error

Avoid using "a quick scan of" when a more thorough or detailed analysis is required. This phrase implies a superficial review, so it's inappropriate for situations demanding in-depth scrutiny.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick scan of" functions as a prepositional phrase typically followed by a noun phrase. Ludwig's examples show it describing a brief examination or review of something, highlighting its role in setting the scope of investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick scan of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a brief examination or review, as demonstrated through Ludwig's extensive collection of examples. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent usage in contexts such as news and media, science, and formal business writing. When writing, keep in mind that this phrase signals a superficial review and may not be suitable when a thorough analysis is required. Consider related phrases like "a brief review of" or "a cursory look at" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief scan of

Replaces "quick" with "brief", slightly reducing the emphasis on speed.

a fast scan of

Replaces "quick" with "fast", emphasizing speed.

a quick skim of

Substitutes "scan" with "skim", implying a superficial reading or review.

a quick examination of

Substitutes "scan" with "examination", indicating a brief inspection.

a quick read of

Substitutes "scan" with "read", implying a brief perusal of written material.

a cursory look at

Uses different wording to convey a similar meaning of a brief inspection.

a quick analysis of

Replaces "scan" with "analysis", suggesting a rapid evaluation.

a fleeting glance at

Emphasizes the brevity and superficiality of the inspection.

a quick test of

Replaces "scan" with "test", implying a brief assessment or trial.

a quick wipe of

Replaces "scan" with "wipe", but it refers to cleaning not reviewing something.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick scan of" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick scan of" to describe a brief review or examination, such as "A quick scan of the report revealed several errors" or "After a quick scan of the room, I realized I was the only one wearing a hat".

What are some alternatives to "a quick scan of"?

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

Is there a difference between "a quick scan of" and "a thorough review of"?

Yes, "a quick scan of" implies a brief and superficial examination, while "a thorough review of" indicates a detailed and comprehensive analysis. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the depth of the review.

When is it appropriate to use "a quick scan of" instead of "an in-depth analysis of"?

"A quick scan of" is appropriate when you need to get a general overview without delving into specifics, while "an in-depth analysis of" is necessary when you require a comprehensive and detailed understanding.