cursory conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

"cursory conversation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a brief exchange of words between two or more people, usually with little depth of conversation. For example: "After a brief, cursory conversation, the two said their goodbyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The most cursory conversation with islanders will reveal how much they cherish their privacy.

The Guardian

Even a cursory conversation with Maleka Begum, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi woman, quickly reveals that extreme poverty is as much about a lack of confidence as a lack of money.

The Guardian

It's for that reason that some players are among the best in the world despite English not being their first language – the previous champion was Thailand's Pakorn Nemitrmansuk, and in 2003 his compatriot Panupol Sujjayakorn won without being able to hold more than a cursory conversation with his English-language opponents.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

During confirmation hearings, Haley and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reported that they had only cursory conversations with Trump about Russia.

The Washington Post

Although the restrictions did not apply to all speech, the "kind of cursory examination" that might be required to distinguish casual conversation from protest, education, or counseling is not "problematic".1557 The law was narrowly tailored to achieve the state's interests.

Cornell University

It is traditionally a time of piety and festivity, but beyond the Ramadan wishes she and others exchanged, the uprising dominated the most cursory of conversations.

The New York Times

Busy sales managers tend to treat reviews as cursory, drive-by conversations that are mainly about compensation, not evaluation and development.

Harvard Business Review

Also, medical providers' conversations with patients can be cursory, not comprehensive, and forms often aren't updated, as recommended, when a patient's medical condition changes.

The Washington Post

In 1990, after the family raised that concern, Hogan-Howe was asked by a police officer whether he had anything to "add to the inquiry", but he only ever gave cursory details of his duties in a telephone conversation in May 1990.

The Guardian - Sport

A cursory literature search was conducted to identify sentinel articles that would stimulate initial conversations.

Globalization and Health

In the flurry to get the ticket set, McGovern aides had made only a cursory check of Eagleton's background, and the senator himself assured them in a hurried telephone conversation that he had "no skeletons in his closet".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory conversation" to accurately describe interactions where the exchange is brief, lacks depth, and serves primarily to acknowledge or initiate contact rather than delve into substantial matters. For instance, "After a cursory conversation about the weather, they moved on to discuss business."

Common error

Avoid using "cursory conversation" to describe interactions that, while short, had a significant impact or revealed important information. Reserve it for truly superficial exchanges; otherwise, opt for phrases like "brief discussion" or "short exchange".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory conversation" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective 'cursory' modifies the noun 'conversation', indicating that the conversation was brief, superficial, or not thorough. The phrase is used to describe the nature of the conversation, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cursory conversation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a brief and superficial exchange. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adjective-noun combination, with 'cursory' modifying 'conversation'. While its frequency is rare, its usage is generally neutral and appears across various sources, primarily in news and media and academic contexts. When writing, ensure you accurately represent the level of depth when utilizing the phrase, by following the best practices. Some alternatives that you can use instead of the expression are "brief exchange", "superficial discussion", or "fleeting dialogue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief exchange

Focuses on the brevity of the interaction, omitting the conversational aspect.

superficial discussion

Highlights the lack of depth in the exchange, rather than its length.

fleeting dialogue

Emphasizes the short duration and conversational nature.

casual chat

Underscores the informality and lack of seriousness in the conversation.

quick talk

Stresses the speed and brevity of the conversation.

perfunctory chat

Highlights the routine and potentially insincere nature of the conversation.

shallow discourse

Focuses on the lack of intellectual depth in the conversation.

hasty discussion

Emphasizes the rushed nature of the exchange.

glancing remarks

Focuses on the brevity and lack of detail in the spoken words.

minimal interaction

Highlights the limited nature of the contact, without specifically mentioning conversation.

FAQs

What does "cursory conversation" mean?

A "cursory conversation" refers to a brief, superficial exchange of words, lacking depth or substantial content. It implies a quick and often impersonal interaction.

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

You might say, "Their meeting began with a "cursory conversation" about the project's timeline before diving into the specifics," indicating a brief, initial exchange.

What are some alternatives to "cursory conversation"?

Alternatives include "brief exchange", "superficial discussion", or "fleeting dialogue", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "cursory conversation" versus "detailed discussion"?

"Cursory conversation" is suitable when the exchange is brief and lacks substance, while "detailed discussion" implies a thorough and in-depth exploration of a topic. Choose based on the level of depth and engagement in the interaction.