perfunctory descriptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfunctory descriptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe descriptions that are done with minimal effort or care, often lacking depth or detail. Example: "The report was filled with perfunctory descriptions that failed to capture the essence of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Later, she offers perfunctory descriptions of the church's inner workings and recites tedious exchanges.

The New York Times - Books

These perfunctory descriptions do not account for performances that are anything but perfunctory.

The New York Times

Compared with this restaurant's offerings of just a year or two ago, recent menus have been dumbed down, with lackluster and perfunctory descriptions, more like a punch list for the cook than a menu created to excite the diner about the meal to come.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Except for a few Spanish phrases, perfunctory description of gang members' clothes and scattered references to Mexican dishes and American barrios, most of the school stories could be about clique, rather than ethnic or class, conflict.

The New York Times - Books

However, except for a perfunctory description based on the IOC surveillance programmes during the Olympic Games in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012, 1 3 there are no data available from the highest level of play.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Talley also has the obligatory estranged wife and child, who are accorded the most perfunctory possible description.

The New York Times - Books

There are things that happen, and characters who say words, but even the term "character" feels generous for what are essentially names on a page, each followed by a perfunctory two-sentence description.

Vice

But other descriptions feel more perfunctory.

The New Yorker

At 10 by 20 feet, the size feels gratuitous, the composition slack and the descriptions of people perfunctory.

The New York Times - Arts

The bad sex award, described as for an author who has "produced an outstandingly bad scene of sexual description in an otherwise good novel" is intended to highlight, and thus discourage, "poorly written, perfunctory or redundant passages of sexual description in modern fiction".

The Guardian - Books

The point of the prize is to draw readers' attention to "poorly written, perfunctory or redundant passages of sexual description in modern fiction, and to discourage them".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "perfunctory descriptions", ensure you are critiquing a lack of depth or detail. Use it to highlight where more thoroughness is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "perfunctory descriptions" when you simply mean a description is concise. "Perfunctory" implies a lack of care or effort, not just brevity.

Linguistic Context

Perfunctory descriptions functions primarily as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate the quality of those descriptions. It highlights a lack of depth, care, or genuine effort in the descriptions, often implying a routine or indifferent approach. Ludwig's AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perfunctory descriptions" is a grammatically sound phrase used to critique the lack of depth or effort in descriptions. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct and usable nature. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts and serves to express dissatisfaction with superficial details. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a lack of care rather than mere conciseness, and consider alternatives like "superficial portrayals" or "cursory accounts" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfunctory representations

Replace "descriptions" with synonym "representations".

cursory accounts

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

superficial portrayals

Highlights the lack of depth and thoroughness in the portrayals.

shallow depictions

Emphasizes the lack of profoundness or detail in the depictions.

glancing overviews

Highlights the quick and not thorough nature of the overviews.

hasty sketches

Implies that the descriptions were created quickly and without much care.

routine characterizations

Suggests the descriptions are ordinary and lack originality.

mechanical recitations

Indicates the descriptions are delivered without feeling or understanding.

formulaic representations

Stresses that the descriptions follow a set pattern and lack individuality.

inadequate elucidations

Highlights the lack of clarity and completeness in the elucidations.

FAQs

What does "perfunctory descriptions" mean?

The phrase "perfunctory descriptions" refers to descriptions that are done in a routine, superficial, or indifferent manner, lacking detail or genuine interest. It suggests that the descriptions are carried out as a duty without real enthusiasm or effort.

How can I use "perfunctory descriptions" in a sentence?

You might say, "The report contained only "perfunctory descriptions" of the project's challenges, failing to offer any real insight." This indicates the descriptions lacked depth and thoughtful analysis.

What are some alternatives to "perfunctory descriptions"?

Alternatives include phrases like "superficial portrayals", "cursory accounts", or "shallow depictions", each suggesting a lack of depth or thoroughness.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "perfunctory descriptions"?

The phrase is suited for contexts where you want to critique a lack of thoroughness or genuine effort in descriptive writing, such as in reviews, analyses, or reports where detailed insight is expected. It is not appropriate when you simply want to praise writing for being concise.