examine cursorily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examine cursorily" 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: "Before making a decision, I need to examine cursorily the reports provided by the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Examining it cursorily, he slipped it into his briefcase.

The New York Times

^ The formations along the course of the Irrawaddy north of the British jjAntier to beyond Ava have been cursorily examined, as also a tract of the ^PPer Sal ween, but little is knowrn of them, and the upper part of Pegu is unknown.

Cornell University

The normal physiology of the gastrointestinal tract has been only cursorily examined.

BMC Gastroenterology

However, in those previously published studies, the specificity of post-selection repertoire was only examined at a cursorily level by stimulating the CD4+ T cells with random known antigens.

eLife

The overall impression that is generated by cursorily examining the results of our studies with rats and humans, and our prior studies with mice, is that little evidence may have been produced to indicate that identical genes or gene products predispose free choice alcohol intake in rodents or humans.

BMC Biology

Can you take a quick look?" They are already sitting in the exam chair of my office, their child on their lap, so I do what so many doctors swear they never will—I examine the family member, albeit cursorily.

Vice

Let's examine Uber.

TechCrunch

Lets' examine.

Huffington Post

We examine the odds.

Vice

It's worth examining.

TechCrunch

Wallets are examined.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "examine cursorily", be mindful of the context. It implies a lack of thoroughness, which may be appropriate in some situations but detrimental in others. Ensure the level of examination aligns with the task's requirements.

Common error

Avoid using "examine cursorily" in formal reports or academic papers where a thorough analysis is expected. Opt for more precise and detailed language to convey the depth of your investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine cursorily" functions as a verb phrase, where "examine" is the main verb and "cursorily" is an adverb modifying the verb, indicating the manner of examination. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "examine cursorily" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a quick and superficial inspection or review. According to Ludwig, its usage is acceptable in written English. While not extremely common, it is appropriate in contexts where a detailed analysis is not required or possible. Alternatives like "briefly examine" or "quickly review" can be used to convey a similar meaning. It is important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase, avoiding it in situations where a thorough investigation is expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Briefly examine

This alternative replaces the adverb "cursorily" with the adjective "briefly", focusing on the short duration of the examination.

Quickly review

This alternative uses "review" instead of "examine", suggesting a faster and less in-depth assessment.

Superficially inspect

This alternative emphasizes the lack of depth in the inspection, highlighting the surface-level nature of the examination.

Perfunctorily check

This alternative suggests the examination is done as a matter of routine, lacking genuine interest or care.

Give a cursory look

This alternative is a more colloquial way of saying "examine cursorily", using the noun "look" instead of the verb "examine".

Glance over

This alternative implies an even briefer examination, suggesting a quick visual scan.

Scan rapidly

This alternative focuses on the speed of the examination, emphasizing the quickness of the scan.

Skim through

This alternative is suitable when examining text or documents, suggesting a fast reading to get the general idea.

Touch upon

This alternative is used when addressing an issue or a topic and suggests that the treatment is brief and superficial.

Run through quickly

This alternative implies a rapid, efficient examination, focusing on speed and process.

FAQs

How can I use "examine cursorily" in a sentence?

You can use "examine cursorily" when you want to indicate that something was looked at quickly and without much detail. For example: "Before the meeting, I had time to "examine cursorily" the documents provided."

What are some alternatives to "examine cursorily"?

Alternatives include "briefly examine", "quickly review", or "superficially inspect" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "examine cursorily" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "examine cursorily" might not be suitable for formal writing where thoroughness is expected. Consider using more precise language to describe the level of detail in your examination.

What is the difference between "examine cursorily" and "investigate thoroughly"?

"Examine cursorily" implies a quick, superficial look, while "investigate thoroughly" suggests a detailed, in-depth analysis. The choice depends on the level of scrutiny applied to the subject.