perfunctory work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfunctory work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe tasks or duties that are performed with minimal effort or care, often as a routine obligation. Example: "The report was filled with perfunctory work, lacking the depth and analysis that was expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He later recorded in his autobiography Kim's complaint that, "The North's filmmakers are just doing perfunctory work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Visible brushstrokes in the paintings fascinate: whistle-while-you-work, perfunctory filling-in that goes carefully fussy at the edges of shapes.

The New Yorker

When corporations monitor their supply chains (if they do at all), they do so through quick-hitting audits, perfunctory snapshots of working conditions taken over the course of a few hours or, at most, a couple of days, with little or no worker participation.

Huffington Post

Sometimes sentences in her previous work were perfunctory; here she achieves a quiet precision.

The Guardian - Books

How many times have you heard the expression "PR darling!", as if our work is perfunctory and can be executed without much thought?

The Guardian

The real problem in the early episodes is that the psychological payoffs that are supposed to make the stories distinctive — the revelations, after various red herrings, of what drove the killers — feel as perfunctory as the detective work.

The New York Times - Arts

Most professors I'd had until then left class the moment the bell rang, offered perfunctory critiques of my work, were unfamiliar with their own reading assignments, and generally regarded the act of teaching as an annoyance.

The New Yorker

But the story is quite quickly dispensed with in perfunctory fashion, and the work is held together chiefly through the personality of Aphrodite (Gioia Marchese), a voluptuous brothel keeper in platinum wig and satin dressing gown, cigarette holder permanently aloft.

The New York Times - Arts

Its humid, iridescently coloured CGI animal kingdom is a thing of lurid beauty, practically an animated marvel itself; its fairly perfunctory narrative and voice work go camouflaged by the foliage.

The Guardian - Film

By extending their reach into a seemingly mundane aspect of life in the N.B.A. — nothing, after all, is more perfunctory than walking into work — the networks created a new channel of communication, player to fan, and, therefore, gradually relinquished a measure of their own power.

The New Yorker

defer.add img); If you have no choice but to talk to them (such as at work), be perfunctory and say only what needs to be said, all in a professional tone and manner.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing "perfunctory work", be specific about what aspects are lacking (e.g., depth, analysis, creativity) to provide constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid using "perfunctory" when you mean efficient. "Perfunctory" implies a lack of care and enthusiasm, while efficiency simply means doing something well with minimal wasted effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfunctory work" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "perfunctory" modifies the noun "work". It describes the quality of the work being done, indicating that it is carried out with minimal effort or attention. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perfunctory work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes work done with minimal effort or care. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the term carries a negative connotation, its register remains neutral, appearing across various contexts like news, media and professional settings. When using this phrase, be specific about the deficiencies in the work to offer constructive criticism. Consider using alternatives like "superficial work" or "routine task" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Superficial work

Emphasizes a lack of thoroughness or depth in the work performed.

Cursory effort

Highlights the brevity and lack of detail in the attempt made.

Routine task

Focuses on the mechanical and uninspired nature of the work.

Mechanical labor

Stresses the lack of thought and creativity involved.

Hollow endeavor

Suggests the work lacks substance or genuine purpose.

Token gesture

Highlights that the work is done merely to fulfill an obligation, not out of genuine interest.

Lip service

Implies the work is only done in words or appearance, without real action or commitment.

Nominal performance

Focuses on the work meeting only the minimum requirements, with no excellence.

Standard practice

Highlights work done as a matter of usual procedure, lacking innovation or care.

Sketchy work

Highlights a lack of thoroughness and attention to detail.

FAQs

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

"Perfunctory work" describes tasks or efforts carried out with minimal effort or enthusiasm. For example, "The student's report showed evidence of "perfunctory work", lacking the depth and analysis expected."

What are some alternatives to "perfunctory work"?

You can use alternatives such as "superficial work", "cursory effort", or "routine task" depending on the specific context.

What does "perfunctory" really mean?

"Perfunctory" means done routinely and with little interest or care. It suggests a lack of enthusiasm or genuine effort in completing a task.

Is "perfunctory" a negative term?

Yes, "perfunctory" carries a negative connotation as it implies that something is done without real interest, care, or effort. It's often used to criticize work or actions that are merely performed as a matter of routine or obligation.