cursory examination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cursory examination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or superficial review of something, often implying that it lacks depth or thoroughness. Example: "After a cursory examination of the report, I realized that more detailed analysis was needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Beynon conducted only a cursory examination of Climbié because he believed she was going to be examined by the paediatric team.

Wikipedia

Instead, it received cursory examination by the C.I.A. and no investigation by the F.B.I.

The New York Times

Cursory examination revealed that the subject was warm to the touch with slight rigor.

The Guardian

As a result, his consensus estimate falls apart under cursory examination.

The Guardian

Furthermore, upon only cursory examination some perthitic textures may be mistaken for polysynthetic twinning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The inverted sequence showed that only a cursory examination had taken place.

The Economist

A cursory examination of other glaciers seems to indicate the same story, perhaps more evidence that the globe is warming.

The New York Times - Science

Even a cursory examination of lists of subreddits can turn up particularly dark content, like the subreddit /r/picsofdeadkids.

The Guardian

And a cursory examination of the ProTour regulations amply demonstrates that those guarantees easily supersede all other criteria.

The Guardian - Sport

But even in a cursory examination of writing comedy, I'm afraid some frogs are going to die.

The Guardian - Books

Even a cursory examination of past use of cluster munitions shows that just the opposite is true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory examination" when you want to convey that something was checked quickly without delving into details. It's suitable when time is limited or a deeper analysis isn't necessary.

Common error

Don't use "cursory examination" when you actually mean a detailed or comprehensive assessment. This phrase implies a lack of depth and can mislead if used incorrectly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory examination" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the act of examining something in a quick and superficial manner. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is often used to indicate a lack of thoroughness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cursory examination" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a quick and superficial review or inspection. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral to professional tone. It signals a lack of thoroughness, which is important to keep in mind when using or interpreting the phrase. Ludwig AI confirms the general correctness and usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief inspection

Focuses on the quick and short nature of the inspection.

quick assessment

Emphasizes the speed and preliminary nature of the assessment.

superficial review

Highlights the lack of depth and thoroughness in the review.

perfunctory inspection

Suggests the inspection was carried out as a duty, lacking genuine interest or effort.

hasty evaluation

Focuses on the hurried and potentially incomplete nature of the evaluation.

summary assessment

Highlights the condensed nature of the assessment, lacking finer details.

passing glance

Emphasizes the brief and almost dismissive nature of the examination.

light inspection

Suggests a non-invasive and gentle approach to the examination.

surface analysis

Highlights that only the surface level aspects were analyzed.

minimal scrutiny

Focuses on the limited and inadequate attention given during the examination.

FAQs

What does "cursory examination" mean?

A "cursory examination" refers to a quick, superficial review or inspection of something, often implying a lack of thoroughness or attention to detail.

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

You might say, "After a "cursory examination" of the documents, it was clear that further investigation was needed."

What are some alternatives to "cursory examination"?

Alternatives include "brief inspection", "quick assessment", or "superficial review".

When is it appropriate to use the term "cursory examination"?

Use "cursory examination" when describing a quick look or assessment that doesn't involve in-depth analysis. Avoid it if the assessment was detailed and thorough.