a superficial comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a superficial comment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a remark that lacks depth or thoroughness, often addressing a topic in a simplistic manner. Example: "His response to the complex issue was merely a superficial comment, failing to address the underlying problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

REASONS TO BE PRETTY The prolific Neil LaBute arrives on Broadway for the first time with his comic drama about a social circle that falls apart in the aftermath of a superficial comment about a woman's face.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"This is a very superficial comment, and I hesitate to make it," one man said sheepishly.

The New York Times

Study has treated him quite badly by pinning him down on a truly superficial comment about the practical significance of Euclidean geometry.

Princeton University

In short, it was a standard stump speech with a few superficial comments about shopping centers and retail real estate.

Huffington Post

By Page 100, we've already journeyed from New Hampshire to Florida, from Massachusetts to San Francisco, and from San Francisco nearly to New Orleans, and that pace all but ensures superficial comment.

Los Angeles Times

A Trump Administration official told a reporter that Sessions's interactions with Kislyak were only "superficial comments about election-related news, not substance of their discussion".

The New Yorker

Trump admin official on Sessions/Russian envoy: "superficial comments about election-related news, not substance of their discussion" That's a lot of backtracking and non-denials in one night.

The Washington Post

Walpole admired him, though he thought his works tended to be superficial, commenting that "he picks up his knowledge as he rides". But he described him as honest and good-natured and even ("a credit to us antiquaries") vivacious, and owned a number of his topographical works.

Yale University

Ruth Dobsevage, a reader from Bethel, Conn., asked, "Mr. Brisbane, would you care to explain why The New York Times has waited an entire week to cover the Occupy Wall Street protest?" Other than a blog post on City Room, she added, "I've seen nothing until I read Ginia Bellafante's dismissive and superficial comments this morning".

The New York Times

Our conversation turned to Austin, how I was liking it, and superficial comments about the weather and what part of town I lived in.

Huffington Post

In this vein Brooks criticized the show for not engaging the theology of plural marriage and for letting Kody Brown's superficial comments about the dissimilarity of Fundamentalist and mainstream Mormonism pass onto the viewers without any critical scrutiny or added nuance.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow the phrase with an explanation of what deeper aspects were missed. For example: 'That was a superficial comment, failing to acknowledge the historical context.'

Common error

While effective, "a superficial comment" can become repetitive if overused. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "shallow remark" or "cursory observation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a superficial comment" functions as a noun phrase, where "superficial" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "comment". Ludwig indicates it's a correct and usable English phrase. It identifies a remark lacking depth.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a superficial comment" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions as a noun, typically employed to criticize remarks lacking depth or thorough consideration. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and applicable in various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it appears regularly in news, academic, and scientific discussions. When writing, be mindful of overuse and explore synonyms like "shallow remark" to enhance clarity. When used correctly, "a superficial comment" provides a concise way to critique inadequate analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shallow remark

Focuses on the lack of depth in the comment.

a cursory observation

Emphasizes the brief and not detailed nature of the comment.

a surface-level remark

Highlights that the comment only scratches the surface of the topic.

a facile statement

Indicates the comment is simplistic and lacks serious thought.

a skin-deep assessment

Suggests the comment only looks at the exterior without deeper analysis.

a glib remark

Implies the comment is smooth but insincere and lacking substance.

a lightweight observation

Indicates the comment is not serious or substantial.

a trivial comment

Stresses the unimportance or insignificance of the remark.

a meaningless statement

Highlights the lack of purpose or value in the comment.

a passing remark

Suggests the comment was brief and not intended to be deeply considered.

FAQs

What does "a superficial comment" mean?

It refers to a remark that lacks depth, thoroughness, or serious consideration. It's a comment that addresses only the surface level of a topic without delving into underlying complexities or nuances.

How can I use "a superficial comment" in a sentence?

You can use it to critique someone's statement, implying that their understanding or analysis is incomplete. For example, "His response to the economic crisis was merely "a superficial comment", failing to address the systemic issues."

What are some alternatives to saying "a superficial comment"?

You can use alternatives like "a shallow remark", "a cursory observation", or "a surface-level remark" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "a superficial comment" always negative?

Yes, it generally carries a negative connotation. It implies that the comment is inadequate because it lacks depth or understanding. However, the severity of the criticism can vary depending on the context and tone.