cursory review

USAGE SUMMARY

"cursory review" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an initial examination of something that is not thorough or comprehensive. For example, "After a cursory review of the project timeline, we determined that it was too aggressive to be feasible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is a cursory review.

The New York Times

Currently, companies voluntarily send summary safety data to the F.D.A. for a cursory review.

The New York Times

A cursory review of public records showed no other criminal or civil cases involving Crittenton.

The New York Times - Sports

Complaints about media coverage do appear to be supported by a cursory review of articles from the last two years.

The New York Times

MIAMI — In the cursory review of Scott Brooks's winding N.B.A. career, it is the names, not the numbers, that stand out.

The New York Times - Sports

Even the most cursory review shows that there have been comprehensive and chilling warnings of a potential calamity on the Gulf Coast for years.

The New Yorker

However, any reasonable person would have ruled out such a possibility after a cursory review of the facts, let alone a months-long public inquiry.

Independent

As an Englishman, I can assure her that even the most cursory review of British royal history makes one think fondly of politicians.

The New York Times

But such cases are never closed after a cursory review, and even the least promising require months of intermittent investigation before they may be closed out.

The New York Times

That possibility infuriated civil liberties groups, which said the cursory review by a district judge would amount to the de facto death of the lawsuits.

The New York Times

A recent cursory review of Craigslist found dozens of listings for New York City apartments with phrases like "No Section 8".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory review" when you want to convey that an examination or assessment was not thorough or detailed, but rather a quick and initial overview.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "cursory review" provides complete information or insights. It's meant to be a preliminary assessment, not a comprehensive analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory review" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'cursory' modifies the noun 'review'. It describes the type of review being conducted, emphasizing its superficial or brief nature, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cursory review" is a common phrase used to describe a quick and not very detailed examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across different contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a superficial assessment, and alternatives such as "quick overview" or "brief examination" can be employed depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid assuming that a "cursory review" provides complete information; it serves as an initial assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superficial assessment

Highlights the lack of depth in the assessment.

surface analysis

Focuses on analyzing only the most obvious aspects.

quick overview

Focuses on speed and summarization rather than the potential lack of thoroughness implied by 'cursory'.

hasty evaluation

Conveys a sense of urgency and potential lack of care.

brief examination

Emphasizes the short duration of the examination.

light inspection

Indicates a less rigorous inspection process.

initial check

Suggests a preliminary inspection.

swift appraisal

Emphasizes the speed and efficiency of the appraisal.

preliminary scan

Implies a rapid and often visual inspection.

top-level look

Indicates a high-level, non-detailed inspection.

FAQs

How to use "cursory review" in a sentence?

"Cursory review" is used to describe a brief and not very detailed examination. For example, "After a "cursory review" of the documents, we proceeded to the next stage".

What can I say instead of "cursory review"?

You can use alternatives like "quick overview", "brief examination", or "superficial assessment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cursory review" or "detailed review"?

Both are correct, but they have opposite meanings. A ""cursory review"" is quick and superficial, while a "detailed review" is thorough and in-depth.

What's the difference between "cursory review" and "cursory glance"?

A ""cursory review"" implies a more formal, though still brief, examination, often of documents or data. A "cursory glance" is a very quick look, typically visual.