cursory perusal

USAGE SUMMARY

'cursory perusal' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a quick, superficial examination of something, and is often used in a legal context to refer to reviewing documents or contracts. For example, you might say: "We took a cursory perusal of the contract before signing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It only takes a cursory perusal," he continued, "to ascertain the disregard this august body has for the well-being of black youth.

The New Yorker

A cursory perusal of the records will show that the cities in America with the most stringent gun-control laws, New York and Washington, have much more gun violence than does Arizona.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"My interest was cursory".

The New York Times

A cursory nod encouraged.

The New York Times

But it's pretty cursory.

The New Yorker

Their handshake was cursory.

The New York Times - Sports

A perusal of the Twitter I.P.O.

The New York Times

I can do cursory work".

The New York Times - Tech

The wine list is cursory.

The New York Times - Travel

It was cursory, at best.

The Guardian - Opinion

They all eat a cursory dinner.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory perusal" when you want to emphasize that the examination was quick and not in-depth. It's particularly effective when contrasting it with a more thorough analysis that should have been performed.

Common error

Don't use "cursory perusal" if the context requires a deep understanding or detailed analysis. This phrase explicitly indicates a superficial look, which is inappropriate if thoroughness is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory perusal" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "cursory" modifies the noun "perusal". Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable phrase. It typically describes the act of examining something quickly and without paying close attention to detail.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cursory perusal" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a quick and superficial examination, particularly in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not very common, it effectively conveys a lack of thoroughness. Related phrases include "brief examination" and "quick review". When using this phrase, be sure the context aligns with a need for only a surface-level review, and not a comprehensive analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief examination

Replaces both words with synonyms for quick and looking at something.

quick review

Substitutes "perusal" with "review" emphasizing a rapid assessment.

superficial inspection

Replaces both words with synonyms that stress the lack of depth in the examination.

hasty scan

Emphasizes the speed and lack of thoroughness in the examination.

passing glance

Highlights the brief and transient nature of the examination.

light reading

Suggests an easy and not very serious reading of the text.

casual look

Emphasizes the informal and relaxed nature of the examination.

perfunctory check

Indicates that the check was done as a routine duty and without much care.

rapid assessment

Focuses on the speed at which the evaluation took place.

fleeting view

Suggests the view was very short and didn't allow the observer to appreciate the detail.

FAQs

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

You can use "cursory perusal" to describe a quick and superficial examination, as in "After a "cursory perusal" of the documents, he dismissed the case".

What is a good alternative to "cursory perusal"?

Alternatives include "quick review", "brief examination", or "superficial inspection", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "cursory" mean?

"Cursory" means hasty and not detailed or thorough. It implies a lack of attention to detail.

What kind of examination does "perusal" imply?

"Perusal" suggests a reading or examination. Adding "cursory" emphasizes that this reading or examination is done quickly and without much attention.