a superficial examination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a superficial examination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or cursory review of something without going into depth. Example: "The report was based on a superficial examination of the data, which led to several inaccuracies in the conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Even a superficial examination of Japanese culture reveals the complex connection rice has to many of its forms and expressions, in both historical and contemporary settings.

Stanford University

In some cases a superficial examination might lead to an erroneous conclusion, the two leaves being nearly but not strictly in opposition ; the term sub-opposite would be the correct expression in such, there being in reality a short internode between the two.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Upon even a superficial examination of the evidence in the Seselj case, this conclusion is a dubious one.

Huffington Post

A superficial examination of the data from Acrochordidae could lead to a picture where the freshwater A. arafurae and the facultatively brackish-water A. javanicus both display lower Hct than the closely related marine A. granulatus (i.e. ∼21% versus >50%).

Plosone

Most commonly, the patient mentioned an enlargement, and the provider merely confirmed it visually or by a superficial examination.

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

The captured loggerheads all appeared to be in otherwise generally good health based on a superficial examination.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Only a very superficial examination has been carried out.

Thin-Walled Structures

Godspell was far more immersed in the teachings of Jesus, making for a less superficial examination of the figure of Christ, while the latter's iconic proclamation of the "dawning of the Age of Aquarius", along with its more overtly political nature, meant that it was more in tune with the essence of the counterculture.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sheer volume of material covered on the tests, at least on New York State secondary level science exams, necessitates a speedy and all too often superficial examination of concepts that ultimately boils down to teaching the vocabulary of a scientific discipline and then rapidly moving on.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Even superficial examination of this film reveals myriad flaws, despite a compelling performance by Jeremy Irons as a fictional writer in a book also called "The Words".

The New York Times

Even the most superficial examination exposes these lies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a superficial examination" to highlight that a more thorough review is needed or was intentionally avoided due to constraints.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions based solely on "a superficial examination". Always acknowledge the limitations and potential for inaccuracies due to the lack of depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a superficial examination" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of examining something without delving into its deeper aspects. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a superficial examination" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a brief or cursory review. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While not the most frequent expression, it's commonly found in science, news, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the limitations it implies and avoid drawing strong conclusions without further, more in-depth analysis. Related phrases, such as "a cursory inspection" or "a shallow investigation", can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cursory inspection

Focuses on the brief and hasty nature of the examination.

a shallow investigation

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the investigative process.

a perfunctory review

Highlights the routine and indifferent manner of the review.

a quick assessment

Focuses on the speed of the evaluation.

a brief overview

Indicates a summary-level understanding without detailed analysis.

a light scanning

Suggests a rapid and not very detailed observation.

a surface-level analysis

Highlights that the analysis does not delve into underlying complexities.

a basic check

Suggests a simple and uncomplicated verification process.

a passing glance

Implies a very brief and almost dismissive look.

a preliminary assessment

Indicates an initial evaluation that may be followed by more thorough examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "a superficial examination" to describe a quick or cursory review of something, as in "The report was based on "a superficial examination" of the data, which led to several inaccuracies".

What phrases are similar to "a superficial examination"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a cursory inspection", "a shallow investigation", or "a perfunctory review", each emphasizing different aspects of the lack of thoroughness.

Is it appropriate to use "a superficial examination" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate, but ensure the context is clear. It's often used to acknowledge the limitations of an initial assessment, suggesting further investigation might be necessary.

What does it mean to conduct "a superficial examination"?

To conduct ""a superficial examination"" means to perform a brief or surface-level review, lacking in-depth analysis or thorough investigation.