cursory view

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cursory view" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quick or superficial examination of something, without going into detail. Example: "After a cursory view of the report, I realized that more in-depth analysis was needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Throughout the production, Mr. Maliphant offers a cursory view of Rodin's way of giving static forms a sense of movement.

The New York Times - Arts

Ours is a 30,000-ft, cursory view of three texts: the Quran and the Old and New Testaments, respectively".

Independent

We decided to loop back for a second visit to the Sistine Chapel after completing a cursory view of the galleries that follow it.

The New York Times

"A glance at the map of Europe after 1648" is sufficient to counter the first objection, while "a cursory view across the landscape of the centuries since Westphalia" deals with the second.

The Guardian - Books

I was only in China for a week so this a cursory view.

Huffington Post

Alexander Nimmo was employed to report on the proposal and told that it was possible "so far as he expressed himself capable of judging from his present cursory view of the canal".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Rating: three ravens This SyFy series mashes up GoT with Clash of the Titans and 300 after a cursory viewing of all three.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Norman Siegel, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said that a cursory viewing of the maps led to "aggression and overzealousness that has led to questionable street justice".

The New York Times - Tech

A cursory viewing was enough, the way that you could lie in bed with nothing but sea and sky outside the window, through that CinemaScope frame of rusting rails.

The Guardian

After a cursory look at the view, they were ready to leave.

The New York Times

Yu attempted to explain the Pentium 4′s "NetBurst" architecture at least in a cursory fashion with an enlarged view of the dime-sized chip showing where each new feature is located.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with contextual information to clarify the scope. For example: "After a cursory view of the budget proposal, further analysis is required."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on a "cursory view" when making important decisions that demand thorough analysis; always complement it with more in-depth investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory view" functions as a noun phrase, where 'cursory' modifies 'view'. It describes the nature of the view as being quick, superficial, and not detailed. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cursory view" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates a brief or superficial examination. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is versatile enough for neutral communication across news, scientific, and general contexts. While useful for setting expectations of limited analysis, avoid over-reliance on a "cursory view" for critical decisions. Consider using alternatives such as "brief examination" or "superficial assessment" depending on the context. The phrase’s widespread presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian reinforces its acceptability in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief examination

Focuses on the shortness of the examination, minimizing the depth.

quick inspection

Emphasizes the speed of the inspection, suggesting a lack of thoroughness.

superficial assessment

Highlights the lack of depth in the assessment, indicating a focus on the surface.

hasty overview

Implies the overview was done quickly and possibly carelessly.

perfunctory glance

Suggests the glance was done out of duty rather than genuine interest, making it less thorough.

passing look

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the look.

casual observation

Highlights the informal and non-detailed nature of the observation.

summary inspection

Highlights the overall quickness and lack of details in an inspection.

general survey

Indicates a broad but not detailed look at something.

rapid scan

Emphasizes the speed and lack of detail in the scanning process.

FAQs

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

You can use "cursory view" to describe a brief or superficial examination of something. For instance, "After a "cursory view" of the data, we decided to proceed with further analysis".

What's a more formal alternative to "cursory view"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "preliminary assessment" or "superficial examination". These alternatives offer a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

What does "cursory view" imply about the level of detail?

"Cursory view" implies a lack of thoroughness and detail. It suggests that only the surface level aspects were examined, rather than a deep dive into specifics.

How does a "cursory view" differ from an in-depth analysis?

A "cursory view" is a quick, surface-level examination, while an in-depth analysis involves a thorough, detailed investigation of all aspects. The former is brief, the latter is comprehensive.