cursory work

USAGE SUMMARY

"cursory work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe work that is done quickly, without much effort or attention to detail. For example, "The student gave his research paper a cursory review before turning it in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I can do cursory work".

The New York Times - Tech

But many states, including New York, lack clear standards to regulate the programs, opening the door for lax supervision, cursory work and little incentive for students to try hard the first time around, critics say.

The New York Times

"With the lingering nuclear hazard, we have only been able to do cursory work for two whole years.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Among them are a few even more cursory works, reminiscent of the "abstractions" found in comic strips.

The New York Times - Arts

One explanation could be that indexing works by titles and authors alone, as happened with printed journals, forced readers to cast at least a cursory glance at work not immediately related to their own or even that the mere act of flicking through a paper volume may have thrown up unexpected gems.

The Economist

I had the wrong idea about Trollope for years, based on a cursory scan of his work in my 20s.

The Guardian - Books

The competitions reflect a recognition of the huge challenges faced by scriptwriters, who often struggle to obtain even a cursory reading of their work.

The Guardian

A cursory look at Regnerus' work tells me that it that needs to be put under a microscope and carefully examined.

Huffington Post

If you take a very cursory look at my work you come away thinking I'm a low-tech Polaroid photographer but before any of that ever came about I was really into Japanese animation, like the film Akira.

Vice

His somewhat informal style of drawing, somewhere in between sketch and cartoon, invites a cursory looks at his work, but his clever use of the written word begs a closer, slower examination of his drawings.

Vice

His somewhat informal style of drawing, somewhere in between sketch and cartoon, invites a cursory looks at his work, but his clever use of the written word begs a closer, slower examination of his drawings.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cursory work" when you want to imply a lack of depth or detail without necessarily being critical. It can describe a preliminary step or a task that doesn't warrant extensive effort.

Common error

Avoid using "cursory work" when a more detailed or thorough effort is genuinely needed and its absence is a critical failing. In such cases, phrases like "inadequate work" or "negligent work" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cursory work" functions as an adjective-noun combination. "Cursory" modifies the noun "work", indicating the manner in which the work is performed. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correctly used in English to describe work done quickly and without much effort. Examples show its use in describing reviews, examinations, and efforts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cursory work" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes work done quickly and without much attention to detail, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context to ensure that it accurately reflects the level of effort involved and avoid implying a critical lack of thoroughness when a more detailed approach is truly required. Alternatives such as "perfunctory effort" or "superficial task" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfunctory effort

Emphasizes the routine and lack of genuine interest in the effort.

superficial task

Highlights the lack of depth or thoroughness in the task.

hasty job

Focuses on the speed and potential carelessness of the work.

quick once-over

Suggests a rapid and surface-level review or inspection.

brief inspection

Indicates a short and not very detailed examination.

light touch

Implies minimal intervention or effort applied to the work.

passing glance

Highlights the fleeting and inattentive nature of the work.

surface examination

Stresses the lack of deep investigation or analysis.

shallow analysis

Emphasizes the lack of depth and critical thinking in the analysis.

token effort

Suggests that the work was done merely to fulfill an obligation.

FAQs

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

You can use "cursory work" to describe tasks or efforts that are done quickly and without much attention to detail. For example, "Due to time constraints, the team could only perform a "cursory work" on the data analysis."

What are some alternatives to "cursory work"?

Alternatives to "cursory work" include "superficial task", "perfunctory effort", or "hasty job". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What does "cursory" mean?

The word "cursory" means hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough. Therefore, "cursory work" suggests that the work was completed quickly and without deep examination.

Is it always negative to describe something as "cursory work"?

Not necessarily. While "cursory work" implies a lack of thoroughness, it's not always negative. Sometimes, a cursory approach is sufficient or even necessary due to limitations like time or resources. The context is crucial in determining whether it's a criticism or simply a description.