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it's superficial
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

In its underground-ness and abundant volume, there might be some resemblance to a Bond villain's lair or an Indiana Jones treasure chamber, but it's superficial.

News & Media

The Guardian

"It's superficial.

News & Media

The New York Times

But it's superficial closure".

News & Media

The New York Times

In my case, it's superficial flesh wounds.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"It's artificial, it's superficial and it's misleading".

News & Media

The New York Times

It's superficial, but aren't we all?

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

At its worst, it is superficial and even mendacious.

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

It is superficial to blame the 'culture' and its handmaidens, the women's magazines, as she does.

News & Media

The New York Times

The problem is that it is superficial and misleading.

News & Media

The Guardian

When the values of the classical world are applied to it, it is superficial and absurd.

News & Media

The Guardian - Books

Also like them, it is superficial, flighty and probably better suited to a torrid romance than a domestic relationship.

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it's superficial", ensure that you are accurately portraying a lack of depth, substance, or genuine importance in the specific context. Avoid using it when something has a clear and obvious purpose, even if it seems simple.

Common error

Be careful not to label interactions as "it's superficial" simply because they are brief or lighthearted. Superficiality implies a lack of genuine engagement, not necessarily a lack of duration.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's superficial" functions as a comment or judgment on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms this pattern across examples, indicating it's often used to express a lack of depth or importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's superficial" is a commonly used phrase to express that something lacks depth, substance, or genuine importance. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its primary function as a critical commentary, fitting within a neutral register and predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, be mindful of potential misinterpretations and strive for accuracy when assessing the superficiality of a subject. Related alternatives include "it's shallow" and "it's skin-deep".

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's shallow

Replaces "superficial" with a synonym that also emphasizes a lack of depth.

it lacks depth

Directly states the absence of profundity or complexity.

it's skin-deep

Emphasizes that something only affects the surface and doesn't go deeper.

it's surface-level

Directly indicates that understanding or engagement is limited to the surface.

it's not profound

Indicates that something is not intellectually or emotionally deep.

it's trivial

Highlights the insignificance or lack of importance.

it's only on the surface

Similar to 'surface-level', indicating something hasn't been deeply investigated or understood.

it's insignificant

Similar to 'trivial', indicating a lack of consequence or weight.

it's cosmetic

Suggests that something is done only for appearance, without substance.

it's merely cosmetic

Emphasizes that something is only concerned with appearance and not with fundamental change.

FAQs

How can I use "it's superficial" in a sentence?

You can use "it's superficial" to describe something that lacks depth or importance. For example, "The movie's plot was exciting, but "it's superficial" and doesn't explore complex themes."

What are some alternatives to saying "it's superficial"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it's shallow", "it's skin-deep", or "it's trivial", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it is superficial" instead of "it's superficial"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "it's superficial" is more common in informal speech and writing, while "it is superficial" may be used for emphasis or in more formal contexts.

What's the difference between "it's superficial" and "it's artificial"?

"It's superficial" implies a lack of depth or substance, while "it's artificial" suggests that something is fake or contrived. Something can be superficial without being artificial, and vice versa.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's superficialGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's superficial
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples