cursory search

USAGE SUMMARY

'cursory search' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a brief, superficial search or examination of something. For example, "I did a cursory search of the website, but couldn't find what I was looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A cursory search for camps with sibling bunks as an option proved unfruitful.

The New York Times

A cursory search revealed its domain registrar to be GKG, a firm based in Texas.

The New Yorker

The police conducted only a cursory search of the premises, and few spectators appeared impressed.

The New York Times

Even a cursory search of the Internet could tell people that, Mr. Picarello said.

The New York Times

In fact, a cursory search for villas on the Internet will uncover countless promotions.

The New York Times

For all the fuss, a cursory search of Craigslist ads revealed no trace of listings for "ProCro".

The New York Times

After a cursory search and Dona Josirene's explanation that we were Americans volunteers with an NGO, they calmed down.

Harvard University

He was armed with a revolver which, miraculously, the gunmen had not found during their cursory search of the hostages.

The Guardian

In fact, a cursory search of the news on this specific subject pulled up only one hit – the Slashdot thread.

MIT Technology Review

"Even the more cursory search for the BBX trademark would have shown that we hold it," said Nico Spence, the chief executive of Basis.

The New York Times - Tech

Bonifay, who conducted only a cursory search before recommending Lamont's hiring in 1996, spent last week forming a list of candidates he and McClatchy will interview.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. In formal reports, you might prefer a synonym like "preliminary investigation" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "cursory search" when you actually performed a comprehensive investigation. This phrase implies a lack of depth and could misrepresent the effort you put in.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory search" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "cursory" modifies the noun "search". This construction describes the type of search being conducted, indicating it's a quick and not very detailed examination. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts to convey this meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cursory search" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a quick and superficial examination. It is often employed to convey that a search was not exhaustive and that the results may be limited. Ludwig confirms its accurate usage, and the phrase appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While it is widely accepted, it's crucial to consider the audience and context when using it, as more formal alternatives like "preliminary investigation" might be preferable in certain situations. Remember, using "cursory search" when a thorough investigation was performed can misrepresent the effort involved. The phrase has a neutral register and is most often found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science". Alternatives include "quick search" and "brief investigation". Overall, "cursory search" is a useful term when describing a search that lacks depth and detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick search

Implies a faster pace compared to a "cursory search", focusing on speed.

brief investigation

Replaces 'search' with 'investigation', suggesting a more formal approach but maintains the brevity.

superficial examination

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the search process.

hasty inquiry

Highlights the rushed nature of the search.

perfunctory check

Indicates the search was carried out as a routine task without much interest or effort.

light scan

Conveys a sense of minimal effort in the search.

passing glance

Suggests an even quicker and less thorough search.

minimal inspection

Stresses the limited nature of the inspection.

surface-level exploration

Indicates only the most obvious aspects were considered.

casual look

Implies a relaxed and informal search.

FAQs

What does "cursory search" mean?

A "cursory search" is a quick and superficial examination or investigation, implying a lack of thoroughness. It suggests that only the most obvious aspects were considered.

How to use "cursory search" in a sentence?

You can use "cursory search" to describe a brief and not very detailed investigation, for example: "The police conducted only a "cursory search" of the premises".

What can I say instead of "cursory search"?

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

When is it appropriate to perform a "cursory search"?

A "cursory search" is appropriate when time is limited, when the issue is not critical, or when a more detailed search is not necessary or feasible.