cursory discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"cursory discussion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you wish to refer to a discussion or examination of something that is done quickly and superficially. For example: "He gave the report a cursory discussion before signing off on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Its cursory discussion of homosexuality may offend certain viewers.

The New York Times

Four days after his unexpected appointment, Mikhail Y . Fradkovwas approved as prime minister by the Russian Parliament on Friday, following little debate and only a cursory discussion of his policy goals.

The New York Times

There is only a cursory discussion of venture capital and no attention paid at all to entrepreneurship the most powerful way to turn ideas into valuable products and services.The world is spikyAnother problem is that EU officials, like government bureaucrats everywhere, are obsessed with creating geographic clusters like Silicon Valley.

The Economist

The first — and possibly last — debate in the New York race for governor unfolded as 90 minutes of political theater verging on farce Monday night, with a format that allowed even cursory discussion of issues like taxes and schools to be interrupted by random one-liners and sometimes inexplicable answers.

The New York Times

Later, when Nikki Reed, the 15-year-old star and co-writer of the feature film "Thirteen," ventured to talk proudly about a new piercing, Ms. DeGeneres quashed the subject, instead encouraging the girl -- after only a cursory discussion of her precocious work as a screenwriter -- to deliver an applause line about what good grades she gets.

The New York Times - Arts

Even the cursory discussion we have presented here should make a few things clear about the development of category theory in the Middle Ages.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

General Manager Ernie Accorsi has had cursory discussions with Petitgout's agent, Tom Condon, with more talks to come in February.

The New York Times - Sports

Addition by Subtraction The Mets had cursory discussions this winter about pursuing the free agent outfielder Juan Gonzalez and pitcher David Cone.

The New York Times - Sports

Thomas was seen by most observers as a likely Pro Bowl candidate last season and the Giants had even had cursory discussions about a long-term deal before his injury.

The New York Times

Mr. Barber's discussions of how American foreign policy has changed since 9/11 range from the obvious to the familiar, as do his cursory discussions of the role that the animating myths of exceptionalism and New World innocence have played in the shaping of American history.

The New York Times - Books

And even though the Yankees recently signed the Cuban defector and third baseman Andy Morales, and have had some cursory discussions with Cincinnati about reacquiring the third baseman/quarterback Drew Henson, they do not really have an established heir at third base.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory discussion" when you want to convey that a topic was addressed briefly without delving into details. It's suitable when the context doesn't require an exhaustive analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "cursory discussion" when a thorough and in-depth analysis is expected. This phrase suggests a lack of seriousness and detail, which can be detrimental in formal or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory discussion" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "cursory" modifies the noun "discussion". This indicates a type of discussion that is brief, superficial, or not thorough. Ludwig provides examples that highlight this meaning, showing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cursory discussion" is a grammatically correct and usable term for describing a brief or superficial examination of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples from reliable sources. While not exceedingly common, it is most frequently found in news and media and science contexts. Alternative phrases like "brief discussion" or "quick discussion" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Using "cursory discussion" appropriately involves understanding that it implies a lack of depth and should be avoided when a comprehensive analysis is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief discussion

Emphasizes the short duration of the discussion.

quick discussion

Highlights the speed at which the discussion occurs.

superficial discussion

Focuses on the lack of depth in the discussion.

perfunctory discussion

Suggests the discussion is carried out as a duty without real interest or effort.

passing discussion

Implies the discussion is fleeting and not thoroughly engaged.

casual discussion

Indicates an informal and lighthearted discussion.

light discussion

Highlights the absence of serious or heavy content.

shallow discussion

Emphasizes a lack of intellectual or emotional depth.

limited discussion

Indicates the scope of the discussion is restricted.

token discussion

Suggests the discussion is merely symbolic or a formality.

FAQs

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

You can use "cursory discussion" to describe a brief or superficial examination of a topic, such as, "The committee had a "cursory discussion" about the budget before voting."

What are some alternatives to "cursory discussion"?

Alternatives include "brief discussion", "quick discussion", or "superficial discussion" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "cursory discussion" the same as "in-depth analysis"?

No, "cursory discussion" implies a superficial examination, while "in-depth analysis" signifies a thorough and detailed investigation. They are opposites.

When is it appropriate to have a "cursory discussion"?

A "cursory discussion" is appropriate when time is limited, the topic is not critical, or a more detailed analysis is unnecessary.