perfunctory assessment

USAGE SUMMARY

"perfunctory assessment" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an evaluation that is done with minimal effort or care, often as a formality. For example: "The teacher's perfunctory assessment of the students' projects left them feeling undervalued." Alternative expressions include "superficial evaluation" and "cursory review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Such bizarre notions, combined with a perfunctory assessment of the ways in which America can combat obesity, distract attention from the very real and alarming problems, discussed in this otherwise absorbing volume, of living large.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"These kinds of haphazard, perfunctory assessments of people with complicated disabilities result in the Andrew Goldsteins," she said, referring to the schizophrenic man convicted of pushing a woman off a subway platform to her death.

The New York Times

In patients with a greater chronic disease burden, such a perfunctory pre-anesthetic assessment does not permit the more comprehensive evaluation, or as indicated, the consultation, which our PACT Clinic affords.

BMC Anesthesiology

Of the several occasions when he himself attracted critical attention — the Pat Tillman affair, for example, or the leaking of his Afghan strategic assessment — McChrystal offers explanations that fall somewhere between perfunctory and disingenuous.

The New York Times - Books

SERVICE Perfunctory.

The New York Times

There's the perfunctory.

The New York Times - Books

"Rape is perfunctory," he says.

The New York Times

The Fosse homage appears perfunctory.

The New York Times

So things become disappointingly perfunctory.

The New York Times - Books

Their conversation there was perfunctory.

Independent

Perfunctory ones at that.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "perfunctory assessment", ensure the context clearly indicates the negative implications of the assessment's lack of thoroughness. This is particularly relevant in critical or formal contexts where accuracy is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "perfunctory assessment" when a more nuanced evaluation was actually conducted. Overusing the phrase can diminish the actual severity of inadequate evaluations in contexts where a thorough one was expected but not given.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfunctory assessment" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'perfunctory' modifies 'assessment'. As Ludwig AI points out, this describes the quality of the assessment, indicating it was carried out with minimal effort or genuine interest. This contrasts with a thorough or in-depth assessment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perfunctory assessment" denotes an evaluation lacking thoroughness and care, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and understandable, its usage is infrequent. It is best employed in formal contexts, such as news articles and scientific papers, to critically describe assessments that fall short of expectations. When aiming for increased clarity or impact, consider using related phrases such as "cursory evaluation" or "superficial analysis". Remember to consider the potential negative connotations before employing "perfunctory assessment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cursory evaluation

Focuses on the brevity and lack of depth in the evaluation.

Superficial analysis

Emphasizes the lack of depth and engagement with the subject matter.

Hasty appraisal

Highlights the speed and potential carelessness of the appraisal.

Routine check

Implies a lack of individual attention due to standardization.

Mechanical review

Suggests a lack of thought and engagement in the review process.

Token examination

Highlights that the examination is done as a formality with little real effort.

Inattentive scrutiny

Emphasizes the lack of focus and diligence in the scrutiny.

Negligent inspection

Draws attention to the carelessness and potential consequences of the inspection.

Skeletal audit

Highlights the incompleteness and lack of detail in the audit.

Quick scan

Emphasizes speed and lack of thoroughness.

FAQs

What does "perfunctory assessment" mean?

A "perfunctory assessment" is an evaluation or review conducted with minimal effort, care, or attention to detail. It's often done as a formality without genuine engagement or thoroughness.

When is it appropriate to use the term "perfunctory assessment"?

Use "perfunctory assessment" when you want to emphasize that an evaluation was superficial, routine, or lacking in depth. It's fitting when the assessment's inadequacy has negative consequences or reveals a lack of commitment.

What are some alternatives to "perfunctory assessment"?

Alternatives include "cursory evaluation", "superficial analysis", or "hasty appraisal". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "perfunctory assessment" in a sentence?

You might say, "The doctor gave the patient a perfunctory assessment, barely spending five minutes before prescribing medication". This shows that the assessment lacked the necessary depth for proper care.