a summary of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a summary of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a brief overview of some content, for example: "Here is a summary of the main points from my discussion about the benefits of working from home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Appendix A: Summary of Key Relationships.

Stanford University

A summary of the ongoing debate.

The New Yorker

Read a summary of the controversy.

The New Yorker

A Summary of Justice Scalia's Bench Statement.

The New York Times

Here's a summary of them.

The Guardian

A summary of current work.

Nature

A summary of the literature.

Nature

Here's a summary of what happened.

The Guardian

Here's a summary of what Alexander announced.

The Guardian

Here's a summary of events so far.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

(a Summary of test method.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing "a summary of", clearly define the scope and purpose of the summary to maintain focus and relevance.

Common error

Avoid making "a summary of" too broad; focus on key aspects relevant to the intended audience to prevent loss of clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a summary of" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a condensed version of information. It sets the stage for providing a brief overview of a more extensive topic or document, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a summary of" is a versatile and commonly used noun phrase that introduces a condensed version of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. For effective usage, clearly define the summary's scope and purpose, and consider alternatives like "a synopsis of" or "an overview of" for nuanced expression. Remember to keep your "a summary of" focused and relevant to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a synopsis of

Replaces "summary" with "synopsis", implying a more concise and structured overview.

a recap of

Uses "recap" instead of "summary", suggesting a review of previously discussed information.

an overview of

Substitutes "summary" with "overview", indicating a general and broad presentation of the main points.

a brief of

Employs "brief" instead of "summary", conveying a short and concise account.

a digest of

Replaces "summary" with "digest", suggesting a condensed and easily understandable version.

a summing up of

Uses the phrasal verb "summing up" emphasizing the act of concluding and summarizing.

a condensation of

Substitutes "summary" with "condensation", highlighting the reduced form of original content.

an abstract of

Employs "abstract" in place of "summary", common in academic or scientific contexts.

a precis of

Replaces "summary" with "precis", indicating a more formal and structured abbreviation.

a thumbnail sketch of

Uses a more figurative phrase to describe a quick, simplified explanation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a summary of" in a sentence?

Begin by stating that you are providing a summary, then present the key points in a concise manner. For instance, "Here's "a summary of" the main arguments discussed during the debate."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a summary of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a synopsis of", "a recap of", or "an overview of" to introduce a condensed version of information.

Is there a difference between using "a summary of" and "an overview of"?

While both provide a condensed version of information, ""a summary of"" typically focuses on the main points, whereas "an overview of" presents a more general and broad perspective.

When is it most appropriate to use "a summary of" in academic writing?

It's appropriate when you need to concisely present the main findings, arguments, or conclusions of a study, article, or research paper. Ensure the summary remains objective and accurately reflects the original source material.