a summary account

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a summary account" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a brief overview or description of an event, situation, or topic. Example: "The report provided a summary account of the project's progress over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This document is an intermediate interrogation report on the named witness and provides a summary account of Sandberger's career.

Cornell University

Includes descriptive notes and text "Division of South America with a summary account of its trade," and large ornamental cartouche.

Yale University

Because of the diversity of the monastic orders, only a summary account of their vesture may be given.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The following descriptions give a summary account of the design study and the related R&D work for this new treatment facility at HIMAC.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

In chapter 8 is a summary account of David's extension of his kingdom by military means and of the military, administrative, and priestly leaders of Israel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Additionally, from a mere academic perspective, there is little intellectually challenging about giving a summary account of the specificity of one's own criminal justice system.

Crime Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Typically, a credit report contains personal identifying information, a credit summary, account information, inquiries, collections and public records.

Forbes

Typically, a credit report contains personal identifying information, a credit summary, account history, inquiries, collections and public records.

Forbes

For a brief, summary account of the medieval theories of the properties of terms, see Spade 1982.

SEP

"By this detailed study of the material confiscated, an absolutely reliable basis has been afforded for a final and summary account of the entire operation of seizure.

Yale University

The novel begins with the report of Mr. Biswas's death, and the author oscillates between a slow, patient, comic account of Mr. Biswas's life and a summary religious account that cruelly squeezes that life: "In all Mr. Biswas lived for six years at The Chase, years so squashed by their own boredom and futility that at the end they could be comprehended in one glance".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a summary account", ensure that the context provides enough background for the audience to understand the key points without requiring exhaustive knowledge of the subject.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a summary account" as a deep analysis. A summary is meant to be a brief overview, not an exhaustive exploration of a topic. If you need to delve deeper, consider expanding your account beyond a summary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a summary account" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object or complement within a sentence. Ludwig confirms its role in providing a concise overview. For example, "The report provided a summary account of the findings."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

40%

Science

40%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a summary account" serves as a concise way to describe a brief overview or description, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, particularly academia, science, and news media. While not extremely frequent, the phrase is useful when a quick understanding is needed. Alternatives include "a brief overview" or "a concise summary". When using the phrase, avoid confusing it with a detailed analysis, as it’s meant to present a general picture, not an in-depth exploration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief overview

Focuses on conciseness and providing a general understanding.

a concise summary

Emphasizes brevity and completeness in covering the main points.

a short report

Implies a more structured and formal presentation of information.

an abridged version

Suggests a shortened form of a longer, more detailed original.

a condensed narrative

Highlights the streamlining of a story or sequence of events.

a thumbnail sketch

Conveys a very brief and basic outline.

a synopsis

Commonly used in literature to present the plot.

an outline

Offers a structural framework or plan.

a digest

Signifies a systematic compilation of key information.

an abstract

Used in research to offer a concise description of a research article, thesis, review, conference proceeding or any in-depth analysis

FAQs

How can I use "a summary account" in a sentence?

You can use "a summary account" to introduce a brief description, such as, "The report provided "a summary account" of the year's events."

What are some alternatives to using "a summary account"?

Depending on the context, you might use "a brief overview", "a concise summary", or "a short report" instead of "a summary account".

Is "a summary account" formal or informal?

"A summary account" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "a concise report".

What's the difference between "a summary account" and "a detailed account"?

"A summary account" provides a brief overview, while "a detailed account" offers a thorough and comprehensive description. The choice depends on the level of detail required by the audience.