cursory mention

USAGE SUMMARY

"cursory mention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an instance when a person, thing, or idea was mentioned in a brief or passing way. For example: "The professor only gave a cursory mention of the author's work in the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Deeper issues got only cursory mention.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The television announcers gave the sequence little more than a cursory mention.

The New York Times - Sports

History textbooks here still give the Jeju massacres only cursory mention.

The New York Times

Details are not always provided in sales blurbs, and rarely get more than a cursory mention in camera reviews.

The Guardian - Tech

The Beckett report, however, made only a cursory mention of these problems, and did not analyse them properly, she said.

The Guardian

The "Halifax mafia" have gone from crucial cliffhanger material to one cursory mention in the final two weeks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

There are no references to "television" in the index, though there are a couple of cursory mentions in the text.

Independent

As for the topics left out by either party at the bottom, we're not giving anyone credit for cursory mentions of the poor.

The Washington Post

State media made only cursory mentions of the attack, including a stark warning to "traitors" not to settle in England because they risked dying in mysterious circumstances.

The Guardian

There were only cursory mentions of the moribund peace talks, which fizzled late last month; the dominant theme was the United States' enduring and growing commitment to shield Israel from an ever-expanding array of threats.

The Washington Post

Other concepts relevant to the evolution of the species are not mentioned in any grade, except for one cursory reference to dinosaurs in the sixth grade.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory mention" to indicate that something was acknowledged but not thoroughly discussed. This is useful when you want to show that an element was not the focus.

Common error

Avoid using "cursory mention" when you mean to indicate a causal relationship. "Cursory" refers to brevity, not cause. For cause, use phrases like "due to" or "because of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory mention" functions as a noun phrase where "cursory" modifies the noun "mention". It describes the nature of the mention, indicating it was brief and superficial. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cursory mention" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a brief or superficial reference to something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's correct and usable in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, and less frequently in scientific publications and formal business documents. When using "cursory mention", ensure that the context aligns with its meaning of brevity and lack of detail, and avoid confusing it with terms indicating causality. Alternatives like "brief reference" or "passing remark" can be used for slight variations in meaning. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "cursory mention" to enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief reference

Focuses on the brevity of the reference.

passing remark

Highlights the casual and fleeting nature of the mention.

slight acknowledgment

Emphasizes the minimal level of recognition given.

fleeting observation

Underscores the short duration of the observation.

superficial treatment

Indicates a lack of depth in the handling of the topic.

perfunctory nod

Suggests a routine and insincere acknowledgment.

quick allusion

Highlights the indirect and brief nature of the reference.

casual citation

Emphasizes the informal nature of the citation.

light touch

Focuses on the delicacy and lack of emphasis.

minor inclusion

Highlights the relative insignificance of the inclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "cursory mention" to indicate that something was acknowledged briefly or superficially. For example, "The report gave only a "cursory mention" of the environmental impact."

What's a good alternative to "cursory mention"?

Alternatives include "brief reference", "passing remark", or "slight acknowledgment", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "cursory mention" in formal writing?

Yes, "cursory mention" is suitable for both formal and informal writing when you need to convey that something was mentioned briefly without extensive detail.

What does "cursory" mean in the context of "cursory mention"?

In this context, "cursory" means superficial, hasty, or not thorough. Therefore, "cursory mention" indicates that something was mentioned in a quick and not very detailed way.