perfunctory response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfunctory response" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that is done in a perfunctory manner, which means done in a way that is not thorough or done just for the sake of doing it and without any real interest or care. Example: His perfunctory response to my complaints showed his lack of interest in solving the problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He received a perfunctory response from an Air Force aide.

The New York Times - Books

However, Ms Castro said that Mr Cohen's "perfunctory" response shows that he has not investigated the questions in any depth.

Independent

Shortly after that meeting, the council sent a letter to Tom Price, the Trump-appointed secretary of health and human services, and received what Schoettes described as a "perfunctory" response.

The Washington Post

Rather than make the usual, perfunctory response, Judge Hudson's five-page decision traced the history of the grand jury back through Colonial law to ancient Athens and forward again to Ethelred II, the English king who ruled from 978 to 1016.

The New York Times

We have made our objections known to Toshiba but so far the company has provided a wholly inadequate and perfunctory response.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

During the question-and-answer period, he gave perfunctory responses to a series of questions, and seemed most engaged when the conversation turned to domestic policy.

The New Yorker

In any case, few of the defendants were given a chance to speak beyond perfunctory responses to questions, and neither were most of their lawyers.

The New York Times

In December, a community group, the Turtle Bay Association, received only perfunctory responses to two letters it sent to the Buildings Department raising questions about the zoning, as well as balconies and affordable housing.

The New York Times

In February 2003, a Suffolk County grand jury that had been investigating sexual abuse by priests in Long Island churches dating back some three decades issued a 180-page report describing its findings in often graphic and painful detail as well as terse, and seemingly perfunctory responses from the diocese.

The New York Times

But continued repetition of the same tapping at regular intervals elicits a briefer and more perfunctory withdrawal response.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But despite an international call for better patient information, "Innocents" illustrates just how perfunctory the response can be.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "perfunctory response", ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of genuine interest or effort in the reply. It's most effective when highlighting a contrast between what was expected and what was delivered.

Common error

Avoid using "perfunctory response" when you simply mean a short or concise answer. "Perfunctory" implies a lack of care or enthusiasm, not just brevity. If the response is thorough but brief, other terms like "concise response" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfunctory response" functions as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "response" to indicate the quality or manner in which it was given. It suggests that the response was carried out with minimal effort or genuine interest. Ludwig examples highlight its use in describing official or expected replies that lack sincerity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perfunctory response" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term to denote a superficial, indifferent, or routine reply. Ludwig's analysis, together with the included examples, underscores its prevailing usage in News & Media for expressing disappointment or criticism regarding the quality of a response. While grammatically correct, it's essential to accurately capture the intended nuance of indifference or lack of genuine interest when using it. Remember that alternatives like "cursory reply" or "inadequate answer" might be more suitable if the emphasis is on brevity or insufficiency rather than a lack of enthusiasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Perfunctory reply

Synonymous replacement of 'response' with 'reply'.

Cursory reply

Replaces "response" with "reply" and "perfunctory" with "cursory", suggesting a hasty and superficial answer.

Perfunctory acknowledgment

Replaces "response" with "acknowledgment", highlighting the superficial nature of the recognition.

Inadequate answer

Focuses on the insufficiency of the response, rather than the manner in which it was given.

Superficial reaction

Highlights the lack of depth or genuine engagement in the reaction.

Routine acknowledgment

Suggests the response was merely a standard procedure, lacking sincerity.

Half-hearted answer

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm or commitment in the reply.

Lackluster feedback

Describes the response as uninspiring or underwhelming.

Apathetic reaction

Focuses on the indifference or lack of concern conveyed by the response.

Token gesture

Implies the response was a minimal effort, done only for appearances.

FAQs

What does "perfunctory response" mean?

A "perfunctory response" is a reply or reaction given in a superficial, routine, or indifferent manner, lacking genuine interest or effort.

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

Example: The politician's "perfunctory response" to the environmental concerns suggested he wasn't taking the issue seriously.

What are some alternatives to "perfunctory response"?

You can use alternatives like "cursory reply", "inadequate answer", or "superficial reaction" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe a response as "perfunctory"?

Yes, using "perfunctory" generally carries a negative connotation. It implies that the response was given without genuine care, interest, or effort, suggesting it was merely a formality.