brush through article

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brush through article" is not correct and usable in written English. It may be intended to convey a quick reading or skimming of an article. An example could be: "I just want to brush through the article before the meeting." Alternative expressions include "skim through article" and "glance over article."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't brush through right away otherwise it may bleed.

WikiHow

Follow with a swift brush-through.

The New York Times

To brush through a fringe of leaves.

The New Yorker

Oh, I listened to the wind brush through the firs.

The New York Times - Travel

Brush through wet hair.

WikiHow

Brush through the brows with a brush.

WikiHow

Brush through it really good.

WikiHow

Gently brush through the fur.

WikiHow

Run a brush through it.

WikiHow

Brush through the detangled lock.

WikiHow

Brush through the hair gently.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve the phrase 'brush through' for physical grooming or cleaning contexts, such as hair, fur or paintbrushes.

Common error

Avoid using "brush through article" because it creates a strange mental image of using a physical brush on a piece of writing. English distinguishes between physical contact (brushing) and visual processing (skimming or scanning).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brush through article" functions as a non-standard verb phrase that conflates two distinct concepts. According to Ludwig, it is an incorrect usage because the verb 'brush' typically denotes physical contact with bristles, whereas reading requires a visual or cognitive verb. It is likely a mistaken variation of 'read through' or 'skim through'.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "brush through article" is a non-standard and technically incorrect phrase. Analysis from Ludwig and Ludwig AI indicates that it is a malapropism, likely resulting from a confusion between 'brushing through' hair and '"skimming through"' a text. While search results show many instances of 'brushing through' in physical contexts (like grooming pets or cleaning paintbrushes), there are no verified instances of its use with 'article' in high-quality writing. Writers should instead opt for standard terms like '"scan"', '"skim"' or '"glance over"' to maintain professional and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skim through the article

Uses the standard idiomatic verb for reading something quickly to get the main ideas.

glance over the article

Emphasizes a very brief and superficial visual inspection of the text.

scan the article

Suggests looking through the text specifically for keywords or certain information.

look through the article

A common and general way to describe a brief reading session.

browse the article

Implies a casual, often non-sequential reading style.

peruse the article

A more formal term that can mean to read thoroughly, though often used for skimming.

flip through the article

Evokes the physical action of turning pages quickly.

run through the article

Suggests a quick overview or a mental rehearsal of the article's points.

thumb through the article

Informal expression similar to flipping through, usually for physical media.

read through the article

Standard phrase meaning to read the entire text from start to finish.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "brush through article"?

You can use more natural alternatives such as "skim through the article", "glance over the article" or "scan the article".

Is "brush through article" correct in English?

No, it is not a standard or correct expression. According to Ludwig, the intended meaning is better expressed by "read through the article".

Which is correct, "brush through article" or "skim through the article"?

Only "skim through the article" is grammatically correct and idiomatic in English.

What is the difference between "brush through" and "read through"?

The phrase "brush through" refers to physical grooming, while "read through" refers to the cognitive process of looking at text.