cursory overview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cursory overview" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing a brief or superficial summary of a topic or subject matter. Example: "In this report, we will provide a cursory overview of the main findings from our research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This cursory overview intends to show that in near-shore mud and sand, biogenic habitat transformations pervade all community interactions.

Journal of Sea Research

As even a cursory overview at the Information Age will tell you, nothing is really free: you pay the price when you don't get the real story.

The New York Times

For large imaging projects later batches can be sampled at 10% after performing a cursory overview of the whole image batch in Adobe Bridge.

Columbia University

What's happening right now is that we are seeing a significant shift of income away from labor at the same time that we're seeing new technologies that look, on a cursory overview, as if they're capital-biased.

The New York Times

Give the market a cursory overview from a distance (or look at a map).

Forbes

The countywide elected officials on the commission are only given a cursory overview.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

While often grouped together in cursory overviews of so-called French Feminism, Irigaray and Kristeva have fundamentally disparate projects (and locations in the academy), both with regard to their critical analyses and with regard to their political enterprises.

SEP

But the two have more in common than a cursory career overview might suggest.

Los Angeles Times

The current section "Tools for reproducible research" is too cursory an overview and is not tied back to the criteria or strengths/weaknesses of the ActivePapers approach.

F1000Research

In this overview chapter, we can only give them cursory treatment, but subsequent chapters explore these different perspectives in detail.

Treatise on Geophysics

Aside from an overview of the fundamentals of ultrasound, including a cursory outline of ultrasonic cavitation, heat generation and acoustic energy determination via calorimetry, examples of ultrasound treatment for improvements in the dissolution, hydration, hydrophobicity, emulsifying and rheological performance of proteins are described.

Food Hydrocolloids

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory overview" when you need to indicate that you're providing a brief or initial look at a topic, without delving into specifics. This is particularly useful in introductions or when setting the stage for a more detailed discussion later.

Common error

Avoid using "cursory overview" if you are presenting a detailed or comprehensive analysis. The term implies a lack of thoroughness, so ensure it aligns with the actual content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory overview" functions as a noun phrase. It describes the act of providing a superficial or quick summary of a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and used in contexts where a brief examination is sufficient.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cursory overview" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a brief or superficial examination of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of detail you provide aligns with the expectation of brevity that the term sets. Consider alternatives like "brief summary" or "quick rundown" if they better suit the context. Avoid using it when a comprehensive analysis is presented, as this would be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief summary

Focuses on the conciseness of the summary.

high-level summary

Indicates a summary that avoids detailed specifics.

quick rundown

Emphasizes the speed and informality of the overview.

short briefing

Focuses on the brevity and informational nature of the overview.

superficial examination

Highlights the lack of depth in the examination.

preliminary assessment

Suggests an initial evaluation rather than a comprehensive analysis.

basic outline

Stresses the foundational nature of the overview.

snapshot view

Implies a quick, limited perspective.

general sketch

Implies a preliminary and not fully detailed presentation.

light scan

Emphasizes the ease and lack of depth in the review.

FAQs

What does "cursory overview" mean?

A "cursory overview" means a quick and superficial examination or summary of a topic, without going into great detail.

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

You might say, "This report provides a "cursory overview" of the main findings" or "Even a "cursory overview" will show you the general trend."

What are some alternatives to "cursory overview"?

Alternatives include "brief summary", "quick rundown", or "superficial examination".

When is it appropriate to use "cursory overview"?

Use "cursory overview" when you want to indicate that you are only touching on the main points and not providing an in-depth analysis. It's suitable for introductions, preliminary reports, or when time is limited.