a thumbnail sketch of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thumbnail sketch of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a brief or concise overview of a subject or topic. Example: "In her presentation, she provided a thumbnail sketch of the project's objectives and key milestones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

So let me close this blog series with a thumbnail sketch of a conservation victory.

The New York Times

Those last three words could stand as a thumbnail sketch of Hunter.

The Guardian - Film

The above provides just a thumbnail sketch of the design principles that can help enable a collaborative innovation center.

Harvard Business Review

The administration's budget contains only a thumbnail sketch of its own ideas, and the details clearly matter.

The New York Times

The first part of "Revolution" provides a thumbnail sketch of 20th-century Estonian history, and it's not pretty.

The New York Times

Most of us could even manage a thumbnail sketch of the life: pop art, Studio 54, Mick and Bianca.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Because of an editing error, a thumbnail sketch on Tuesday about the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for public service, a series by The Los Angeles Times about problems at the Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center, referred incorrectly to the status of the hospital.

The New York Times

A thumbnail sketch on Tuesday about the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" by Michael Chabon, referred incorrectly in some copies to the original surname of a title character, as did a correction in this space yesterday.

The New York Times - Books

Draw a thumbnail sketches of different poses for your character until you like the look of one.

WikiHow

A thumbnail-sketch of the writer's mother leads to a catalogue of the traits and foibles of various mothers in his fiction.

The Economist

(A thumbnail-sketch of aspects of his career, "The Paintings of Moholy-Nagy: The Shape of Things to Come," was at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in 2015). The show was jointly organized by New York's Guggenheim Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago and LACMA, and their respective curators, Karole P. B. Vail, Matthew S. Witkovsky and Carol S. Eliel.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a thumbnail sketch of" when you need to provide a high-level overview or summary of a topic, event, or concept, particularly when the details are less important than the overall picture.

Common error

Avoid using "a thumbnail sketch of" when a detailed analysis is required; this phrase implies a summary, not an in-depth exploration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thumbnail sketch of" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or an appositive. It introduces a concise description or summary. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thumbnail sketch of" is a commonly used phrase to introduce brief overviews or summaries across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, appearing frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science. To improve your writing, use this phrase when offering a high-level view, but avoid it when a detailed analysis is needed. Alternatives like "a brief overview of" or "a concise summary of" can be used depending on the context. Remember, the goal is to provide clarity and brevity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A brief overview of

Focuses on brevity and summarization, omitting the visual metaphor of a thumbnail.

A concise summary of

Emphasizes the succinct nature of the summary, lacking the implied broadness of a sketch.

An outline of

Highlights the structural framework, differing from the more descriptive nature of a sketch.

A quick rundown of

Conveys speed and informality, less detailed than a sketch.

A short account of

Implies a narrative, not necessarily a visual representation.

A snapshot of

Uses a different visual metaphor, focusing on a moment in time rather than a broader overview.

A basic description of

Stresses simplicity and fundamental aspects, possibly lacking nuance.

A rough idea of

Suggests imprecision, unlike the defined limits implied by a thumbnail.

A compact presentation of

Highlights efficiency and organization, moving away from the casualness of a sketch.

A distilled version of

Emphasizes extraction of essential information, not necessarily a representation.

FAQs

How can I use "a thumbnail sketch of" in a sentence?

You can use "a thumbnail sketch of" to introduce a brief summary or overview. For example, "The presentation provided a thumbnail sketch of the company's history".

What's a good alternative to "a thumbnail sketch of"?

Alternatives include "a brief overview of", "a concise summary of", or "an outline of", depending on the context.

Is "a thumbnail sketch of" appropriate for formal writing?

While acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "a summary of" or "an overview of" in strictly formal contexts.

What does "a thumbnail sketch of" imply?

It implies a brief and simplified representation, offering essential information without delving into extensive details. It is a quick way to convey the main points of a topic.