cursory talks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cursory talks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe brief or superficial discussions that do not go into depth on a subject. Example: "During the meeting, we only had cursory talks about the new project, leaving many details unaddressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Brosius can be a free agent after this season, and his agent had cursory talks with the Yankees in June and July.

The New York Times - Sports

The Yankees have had cursory talks with Mendoza, and they apparently seem willing to let him test free agency as well.

The New York Times - Sports

They are negotiating with the 35-year-old free-agent outfielder Moises Alou, and have had cursory talks with the Dodgers about Gary Sheffield.

The New York Times - Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla .— In cursory talks with the Yankees about Roy Halladay, the Toronto Blue Jays wanted Joba Chamberlain as part of a trade package.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ralph Metzner a messiah in these circles for his pioneering work with Tim Leary at Harvard began with a pretty cursory talk about the use of ayahuasca, mushrooms, and the iboga root in shamanism.

Vice

The Yankees and Mets have had cursory trade talks with the Chicago Cubs about the outfielder Sammy Sosa.

The New York Times - Sports

The Yankees have had cursory trade talks with other teams about Martinez, but will most likely open the season with him at first.

The New York Times - Sports

When asked about the subject, Leiweke offered a cursory denial, but then began talking about how deeply involved he intends to be in the coming Presidential campaign.

The New Yorker

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

"This is not a time to be slapping each other on the back, talking about the wonderful relationship, giving cursory attention to the real issues facing New Zealanders there," he told Radio NZ.

The Guardian

The campaigns largely felt like men talking to one another, and a cursory glance at a debate on the matter in the House of Commons might still back that up: Europe seems to turn men on in a way it doesn't for women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "cursory talks" to contrast with more comprehensive discussions that delve into complex topics more thoroughly.

Common error

Avoid using "cursory talks" when there's an assumption that the discussion led to a decision or consensus. The term strictly indicates brevity and not necessarily resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory talks" functions as a noun phrase, where "cursory" modifies "talks". Ludwig confirms its use in describing brief or superficial discussions. It is often used to indicate that the discussion did not delve deeply into a subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cursory talks" denotes brief, superficial discussions, as validated by Ludwig. This phrase, while not frequently used, is grammatically sound and primarily found in news and media contexts. It serves to indicate that a conversation or discussion occurred but lacked depth or detail. When writing, ensure that the term accurately reflects the brevity and not any implied agreement or resolution. Alternatives such as "brief discussions" or "preliminary discussions" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Brief discussions

Emphasizes the short duration of the talks.

Preliminary discussions

Highlights that the talks are an initial step, not a full exploration.

Superficial conversations

Focuses on the lack of depth in the discussions.

Passing mentions

Indicates that the topic was only briefly brought up.

Light discussions

Suggests a non-serious and easy-going conversation.

Informal talks

Highlights the casual nature of the conversation.

Quick chats

Emphasizes the short and casual nature of the discussions.

Fleeting conversations

Stresses the temporary and brief nature of the discussions.

Perfunctory discussions

Implies that the talks were carried out as a duty or formality.

Initial exchanges

Focuses on the beginning stage of a communication process.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The companies had only "cursory talks" about a potential merger before negotiations stalled".

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

Depending on the context, you could use "brief discussions", "preliminary discussions", or "superficial conversations".

What does "cursory" really mean in the context of "cursory talks"?

"Cursory" suggests the talks were quick, not thorough, and perhaps lacked detail or depth. They might have just scratched the surface of the issue.

Are "cursory talks" always negative?

Not necessarily. While "cursory" can imply a lack of thoroughness, "cursory talks" are useful for initial explorations or when time is limited. It depends on the situation.