just a report

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just a report" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to downplay the significance of a report or to indicate that it is not a comprehensive document. Example: "I don't want to make a big deal out of it; it's just a report on our quarterly performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"The ramifications are multiple and far stronger than just a report can provide," Dr. Agelarakis said.

The New York Times

"Usually, it was just a report of his latest experience going through customs, but I loved having him in the magazine.

The Guardian - Books

At first it was just a report of a throwaway comment accidentally left in a paper's annex: "Emma, please insert NMR data here! where are they?

The Guardian

"Dialogue with Death" is just a report on a series of mostly horrible events, and the author is under no obligation to organize them, or even to make sense of them.

The New Yorker

As to whether "America Today" had had a political agenda, he said emphatically, "No, the mural wasn't supposed to be a work of social protest at all, just a report on American life before the Depression".

The New York Times - Arts

As with other kinds of accidents, however, the problem now is to produce not just a report that is factually unassailable, but also one that reassures the public -- and future crews -- that the flaws that have been corrected include the fatal one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The company raised just a reported $42 million from Benchmark Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Baseline Ventures.

TechCrunch

An Associated Press reporter has just filed a report about how she gatecrashed one of the top-secret rehearsals.

The Guardian - Sport

But he adds: "We want to do more than just write a report.

BBC

It is just that – a report.

The Guardian

Theos,a think-tank in London, has just published a report that challenges the secularist trope.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just a report", ensure your audience understands the scope. If the report is preliminary or lacks depth, this phrase can manage expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "just a report" if the report contains critical data or conclusions. Overusing this phrase might diminish the importance of findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just a report" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to categorize and often qualify the nature of a document. Examples in Ludwig show that it can be used to downplay or set expectations regarding the content.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just a report" is a common noun phrase used to indicate that a document is a basic summary or overview, often implying that it is not particularly detailed or significant. As shown in Ludwig's examples, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media. While grammatically correct, its suitability depends on the context, as it may be too casual for formal writing. Alternatives such as "merely a report" or "summary report" can be used to adjust the tone as needed. Understanding the implications and appropriate usage ensures clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely a report

Replaces "just" with "merely", emphasizing the insignificance or simplicity of the report.

simply a report

Uses "simply" instead of "just" to highlight the straightforward nature of the report.

only a report

Substitutes "just" with "only" to stress that nothing more than a report exists.

merely an account

Replaces "report" with "account", focusing on the descriptive aspect.

simply an overview

Uses "overview" to indicate a summary and "simply" instead of "just".

just a summary

Replaces "report" with "summary", emphasizing the concise nature of the information.

only an outline

Substitutes "report" with "outline", suggesting a basic structure.

merely a brief

Uses "brief" instead of report, implying even shorter and more focused.

simply a statement

Replaces "report" with "statement", focusing on factual declarations.

just a record

Changes "report" to "record", indicating a collection of documented information.

FAQs

How can I use "just a report" in a sentence?

You can use "just a report" to downplay the significance of a document, implying it's a basic summary. For instance, "It's "just a report", nothing too detailed."

What's a good substitute for "just a report"?

Alternatives include "merely a report", "simply a report", or "only a summary depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "just a report" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "just a report" may sound too casual for formal writing. Consider alternatives like "a summary report" or "an overview document" for a more professional tone.

What does "just a report" imply about the document's contents?

"Just a report" implies that the document is not comprehensive, in-depth, or particularly significant. It suggests a basic overview or summary.