brush through document

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brush through document" is not correct; it should be "brush through the document." You can use it when referring to quickly reviewing or skimming a document. Example: "I need to brush through the document before the meeting." Alternative expressions include "scan the document" and "glance over the document."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

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 hair gently.

WikiHow

Brush through for even distribution.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the non-standard phrase "brush through document", opt for clearer alternatives like "scan the document", "review the document quickly", or "skim the document" depending on your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid combining words in ways that don't follow standard English usage patterns. While the individual words might be correct, their combination can create a phrase that is confusing or grammatically incorrect. Always double-check if a phrase sounds natural to a native English speaker.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brush through document" is not a standard English expression. As such, it doesn't have a defined grammatical function. The individual words are understandable, but their combination lacks a conventional meaning and doesn't follow established patterns, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brush through document" is not a recognized or grammatically correct expression in English. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is non-standard. It's advisable to use established alternatives like "scan the document", "review the document quickly", or "skim the document" depending on the intended meaning. Using standard phrasing ensures clarity and effective communication. This prevents confusion and adheres to proper language conventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scan the document

Focuses on quickly looking over the document to get a general idea.

review the document quickly

Emphasizes a fast review process.

skim through the document

Highlights reading the document superficially.

look over the document

Suggests a casual review.

go through the document

Implies a more thorough process of examining the document.

peruse the document

Indicates reading the document in a careful way to understand the content.

analyze the document

Highlights a detailed and critical examination of the document's content.

process the document

Focuses on performing a set of actions on the document.

leaf through the document

Suggests flipping pages to get a sense of its content.

glance at the document

Emphasizes a very quick look.

FAQs

What does "brush through" usually mean?

"Brush through" typically refers to using a brush to move through something, like hair or fur. It can also metaphorically mean to move quickly through something, like a crowd. But never a document.

Is "brush through" ever used in a formal context?

The phrase "brush through" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, it's better to use precise language that clearly conveys your meaning. For example, you can use alternatives like "review quickly" or "scan".

What's a better way to say "quickly read a document"?

Instead of using "brush through document", you can say "scan the document", "skim the document", or "review the document quickly".

Which is more appropriate, "brush through the document" or "go through the document"?

"Go through the document" is more appropriate and widely accepted. It implies a thorough review. "Brush through the document" is not a standard phrase and may sound awkward.