cursory awareness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cursory awareness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a superficial or brief understanding of a subject or situation. Example: "His cursory awareness of the topic was evident during the discussion, as he struggled to provide detailed insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

However, as anyone with a cursory awareness of Boston school politics might agree, this proposal is likely a non-starter because of Dudley Street's status as an in-district charter school and a teaching academy for the Boston Teacher Residency.

Harvard University

Of course, anyone with even so much as a cursory awareness of gender dysphoria or endocrinology would have known that the headline was misleading.

Vice

When we inflict death on distant cultures, at the sterile remove that modern weapons grant us, we can avoid all but the most cursory awareness of the consequences of our actions.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To build awareness of the violence in Darfur, an earnest if cursory MTV documentary decides not to explain the motives of janjaweed marauders, the history of ethnic tension in the region, the intricacies of an intra-Islam clash.

The New York Times - Arts

We excluded responses of participants without prior awareness from our analysis because our informational statement was cursory.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"My interest was cursory".

The New York Times

But it's pretty cursory.

The New Yorker

Their handshake was cursory.

The New York Times - Sports

The police investigation was cursory.

The New York Times - Books

I can do cursory work".

The New York Times - Tech

Vowel awareness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cursory awareness", ensure that the context clarifies what specific area or topic the awareness is related to. For instance, "cursory awareness of environmental issues" is more specific than just "cursory awareness".

Common error

Avoid using "cursory awareness" when you actually mean a deep or thorough understanding. "Cursory" indicates a brief or superficial engagement with the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory awareness" functions as a noun phrase, where "cursory" modifies the noun "awareness". It describes the quality of awareness as being superficial or brief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, indicating a superficial or brief understanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cursory awareness" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a superficial or minimal understanding of a subject. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare, as evidenced by the limited number of examples found. It's primarily encountered in news and academic contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies the specific area of awareness and avoid confusing it with comprehensive understanding. Consider alternatives like "superficial understanding" or "basic familiarity" to fine-tune the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superficial understanding

Replaces "awareness" with "understanding" and "cursory" with its synonym, "superficial", emphasizing the lack of depth.

basic familiarity

Indicates a simple and introductory level of knowledge.

slight acquaintance

Suggests a minimal level of recognition and knowledge.

limited knowledge

Focuses on the restricted amount of information possessed.

passing knowledge

Highlights the brief or transient nature of the understanding.

general idea

Implies a broad but not detailed comprehension.

rudimentary grasp

Emphasizes a basic and undeveloped understanding.

surface-level cognizance

Uses a more formal vocabulary to convey the concept of superficial recognition.

initial exposure

Highlights the early stage of learning or becoming aware.

minimal consciousness

Conveys the slightest level of awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "cursory awareness" in a sentence?

You can use "cursory awareness" to describe a minimal or superficial understanding of something, such as, "He had only a "cursory awareness" of the company's financial situation." The phrase suggests a lack of in-depth knowledge.

What are some alternatives to "cursory awareness"?

Some alternatives to "cursory awareness" include phrases like "superficial understanding", "basic familiarity", or "limited knowledge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cursory knowledge" or "cursory awareness"?

Both "cursory knowledge" and "cursory awareness" are grammatically correct. "Cursory knowledge" focuses more on the information possessed, while ""cursory awareness"" emphasizes the recognition or perception of something. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What does it mean when someone has a "cursory" understanding?

A "cursory" understanding implies that someone has only a superficial or brief grasp of a subject, without delving into details or complexities. It suggests a lack of thoroughness.