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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a sketchy outline of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sketchy outline of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a vague or incomplete representation of something, often in a conceptual or planning context. Example: "The report provided a sketchy outline of the project's objectives, leaving many details to be clarified later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Wolfe himself sees the trappings of science fiction and fantasy, the spaceships and so on, as simply "a sketchy outline of the things that can be done".

News & Media

The New Yorker

What is more, Baricco's retelling is extremely short – only 55 pages – which only allows for a sketchy outline of the story and characters.

News & Media

The Guardian

Although it is still too early in the publishing season for anyone to know the Gunnar Szolky story in full, the writer has gleaned enough to give us a sketchy outline of the extraordinary dimensions of the Szolky saga.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It would be followed by a second stage for Iran to begin accepting a series of curbs on its nuclear activities that would be matched by a step-by-step easing of Western sanctions, in particular the embargo on Iran's oil and gas exports and financial measures that have hit its trade with the rest of the world.As yet only a sketchy outline of the Iranian proposal is in the public domain.

News & Media

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Today, as publishers eschew the finished manuscript and spit out contracts based on a sketchy outline or even less, the scripting of rejection letters has become something of a lost art.

It's a sketchy outline at best.

News & Media

Huffington Post

However, except for a sketchy outline, little is known about how the cells interpret signaling cues from their surroundings and selectively regulate genes in a temporal-spatially specific manner.

Here, although our sympathies lie with Dawson ― who does her best with the sketchy outline of a character ― it's Heigl's Tessa who walks away with the movie.

News & Media

Huffington Post

But those and many other protections were missing from the sketchy outline of the tribunals proposed in the president's order.

News & Media

The New York Times

Whoever heard of a punk singer lilting: "Jesus, help me find my proper place?" What did it mean to "put jelly on your shoulder?" In Lou Reed's refusal to be categorisable, I saw the sketchy outlines of a way of being that might actually work for me.

Americans knew only sketchy outlines of Dwight D. Eisenhower's heart problems, compared with what they would know today.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sketchy outline of" when you want to convey that the information you have is incomplete or lacks detail. It's suitable when presenting preliminary ideas or initial stages of a project.

Common error

Avoid using "a sketchy outline of" when you actually have a comprehensive plan or detailed information. This phrase implies a lack of completeness, so ensure it accurately reflects the state of your knowledge.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sketchy outline of" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a direct object or a complement. Ludwig AI indicates it's usable to describe incomplete representations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sketchy outline of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something that is preliminary, incomplete, or lacks detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Though not extremely frequent, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. While "a sketchy outline of" may not be appropriate for formal writing, it is useful in setting expectations for a lack of completeness in information. Similar phrases include "a rough draft of" or "a preliminary sketch of". Always ensure it accurately reflects the state of your knowledge to avoid misrepresentation.

FAQs

How can I use "a sketchy outline of" in a sentence?

You can use "a sketchy outline of" to describe something that is not fully developed or lacks details. For example, "The presentation provided "a sketchy outline of" the proposed project, but many details were missing."

What phrases are similar to "a sketchy outline of"?

Similar phrases include "a rough draft of", "a preliminary sketch of", or "a basic framework for", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a sketchy outline of" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "a sketchy outline of" might be better suited for less formal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "a preliminary overview of" or "a brief summary of".

What's the difference between "a sketchy outline of" and "a detailed plan of"?

"A sketchy outline of" implies a lack of detail and completeness, while "a detailed plan of" suggests a comprehensive and thorough description. They are essentially opposites in terms of information depth.

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: