a quick sweep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick sweep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or cursory examination or cleaning of an area. Example: "Before the guests arrived, I did a quick sweep of the living room to tidy up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I did a quick sweep of Zoe's room, checking the bookshelves for sandwich plates and half-eaten lunches.

The New York Times

If I'm in a hurry, I give my body the equivalent of a polite hello: a quick sweep of the eyes from head-to-toe.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A quick sweep through Forever 21 in Midtown revealed a beefy zigzag striped cardigan ($39.80), a flame-stitched shift dress ($22.80), and a chevron-stripe variation in a scorching yellow and terra-cotta tone ($24.80).

The New York Times

8.42pm BST Around the league Right, I fear I've missed a couple of field goals amidst the melee over the last few minutes, so here's a quick sweep of all the scores.

The Guardian - Sport

On the white plate sat a pâté of the liver, with three sprigs of chives sticking out from its centre (which Eduardo, either offended or embarrassed by the gratuitous garnish, removed with a quick sweep of his hand).

The Guardian

We did a quick sweep of the books desk – and here are some of our most disturbing reads, and some that our readers came up with on this week's Tips, Links and Suggestions blog.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

First, a back-and-forth option: a quick feedforward sweep, followed by a feedback sweep [2], [37].

Plosone

A quick supermarket sweep, however, can reap impressive results.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To that end, this column did a quick office sweep in an attempt to second-guess the next big thing in eating out.

Independent

It will show you how much of that you've used, so if you're near the limit you can do a quick energy sweep and turn off a few things that maybe you no longer need switched on.

The Guardian

In one quick sweep, Carol A. Bartz, Yahoo's chief executive, was fired over the phone last Tuesday, a bloodless termination to her unsteady two years directing one of the nation's major online media companies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick sweep" when you need to convey the idea of a fast, superficial examination or cleaning action. It's suitable when details are not necessary or time is limited.

Common error

Avoid using "a quick sweep" in contexts that require thoroughness or precision. In those situations, opt for more specific and detailed language, such as "a comprehensive review" or "a detailed analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick sweep" functions primarily as a noun phrase that often acts as an object of a verb, describing an action of briefly examining or cleaning something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick sweep" is a common phrase used to describe a brief and superficial examination or cleaning action. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is perfectly correct to use in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in wikis and science-related articles. While generally acceptable, it's essential to consider the level of formality required for your writing; in more formal settings, alternative phrases like "a preliminary assessment" or "a brief scan" might be more appropriate. When using "a quick sweep", ensure you're conveying the intended sense of speed and lack of detailed attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief scan

Emphasizes the act of scanning or examining something quickly.

a fast check

Highlights the speed of the checking process.

a cursory look

Suggests a superficial or perfunctory examination.

a swift glance

Focuses on the speed and brevity of the visual inspection.

a rapid review

Stresses the quickness of the review process.

a once-over

Implies a quick and comprehensive check.

a light inspection

Indicates a less thorough inspection.

a preliminary assessment

Highlights that the assessment is initial and not exhaustive.

a surface examination

Emphasizes the shallowness of the examination.

a spot check

Refers to a random and quick check.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick sweep" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick sweep" to describe a brief examination or cleaning, such as, "I did "a quick sweep" of the room before the guests arrived".

What are some alternatives to "a quick sweep"?

Alternatives include "a brief scan", "a fast check", or "a cursory look", depending on the context.

Is "a quick sweep" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in formal writing, consider more precise terms like "a preliminary assessment" or "a surface examination" /s/a+surface+examination, depending on what aspect you want to highlight.

What does "a quick sweep" imply?

It implies a brief and not very thorough action, focusing on speed and superficiality rather than detail. If a more thorough check is needed you may want to consider alternative wording.