gist of the article

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gist of the article" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when summarizing the main point or essence of an article. Example: "In her review, she captured the gist of the article, highlighting the author's main arguments and conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That seemed to be the gist of the article, a largely positive piece that's as inherently polarizing as its subject (see: the comments section).

The New Yorker

Here's the gist of the article: With stiffer competition from other companies and the changing tastes of home buyers in the types of loans they want, the companies face a choice between moving into riskier types of investing and acknowledging to stockholders that their potential for growth is limited.

The New York Times

"The gist of the article is that he is ambitious and what is wrong with that?" Moving across to west London, Fulham manager Rene Muelensteen has eased fears that striker Dimitar Berbatov is looking to leave the club in January after his agent claimed the 32-year-old wants a move.

Independent

That's the gist of the article; the rest is basically, "Wow Taser, you're so awesome.

TechCrunch

The translations are not perfect and images and formatting are removed, but they do give you the gist of the article.

TechCrunch

The basic gist of the article is that the iPhone's main function is to allow people to easily consume information rather than create it.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Furthermore, the gist of this article reflects a much deeper problem in the climate-change dialogue, which the piece's subhead — "Is there a technological solution to global warming?" — sums up well.

The New Yorker

Jake Soiffer, Brooklyn: As a 17-year-old, it's kind of frustrating to read the comments here and find them all made by condescending older folks who don't seem to get the gist of this article.

The New York Times

This is the gist of this article.

WikiHow

Avoiding the word "hoax," Davis nevertheless concurred with the gist of the Washington Post article, stating that the evidence against the cabin's authenticity was "overwhelming".

The New York Times

The gist of these articles, to be sure, is aspirational and positive: look at these amazing kids and what they've achieved!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When summarizing complex information, use "gist of the article" to quickly convey your understanding of the main points to your audience. This helps to establish context and saves time.

Common error

Avoid using "gist of the article" to gloss over nuanced details or arguments. While it's useful for summarizing, ensure you address critical complexities to avoid misrepresenting the author's intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gist of the article" functions as a noun phrase that describes a summary or the central point of a written work. It's used to convey an understanding of the article's main content. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gist of the article" is a versatile phrase used to convey the main point or summary of a written work. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts, notably in news, wiki pages, and scientific publications. While summarizing is helpful, over-simplification must be avoided to prevent misrepresentation of the original content. Alternative phrases like "main idea of the article" or "essence of the article" can add variety to your writing. Remember, the phrase is a valuable tool for quick communication but should be balanced with attention to detail to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main idea of the article

Focuses on the central theme or concept presented in the article.

essence of the article

Highlights the core, irreducible meaning of the article.

summary of the article

Provides a condensed version of the article's content.

point of the article

Emphasizes the primary argument or message.

thrust of the article

Indicates the main direction or force of the argument in the article.

core message of the article

Highlights the key takeaway or communication from the article.

central theme of the article

Focuses on the overarching subject or topic.

key takeaway from the article

Emphasizes what the reader should remember or learn.

article's central argument

Highlights the main claim or position the article defends.

underlying idea of the article

Focuses on the fundamental concept that informs the article.

FAQs

How can I succinctly express the central idea of a written work?

You can use the phrase "gist of the article" to quickly communicate the main points or overall message.

What's a good alternative to "gist of the article" when summarizing information?

Consider using phrases like "main idea of the article", "essence of the article", or "summary of the article" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "gist of the article" in formal writing?

Yes, "gist of the article" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly when providing a concise overview. However, ensure the level of detail matches the audience's needs.

How does the "gist of the article" differ from a direct quote?

While a direct quote presents the author's exact words, the "gist of the article" is a summary or interpretation of the author's main points in your own words.