perusal

USAGE SUMMARY

"perusal" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the action of carefully reading or examining something. For example, "I spent the morning studying the contract in perusal of any potential loopholes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government is keen, at least in theory, to make available much of the data that it holds, for the perusal and analysis of "armchair auditors" and enthusiastic nerds (see article).Britain's small but vocal freedom-of-information lobby has given the plans a cautious welcome.

The Economist

But the conditions laid down by Qatar Airways go beyond more familiar rules.A perusal of online forums used by cabin crew suggests that Qatar has a reputation for severity among industry professionals.

The Economist

An obvious example is bioprospecting, the perusal of nature's genetic library for new food, medicine and pesticide ingredients.This alone should justify conserving forests, given how many useful discoveries they yield.

The Economist

A perusal of the sample profiled candidates reveals a few Americans.

The Economist

A panicky perusal of the boarding passes printed off so carefully the night before revealed that our flight actually left from London Luton, a good hour's drive away.

The Economist

A cursory perusal of the records will show that the cities in America with the most stringent gun-control laws, New York and Washington, have much more gun violence than does Arizona.

The Economist

Ambrose of Milan, a Latin writer who was well known in Ireland, impressed Augustine of Hippo with his quiet perusal of a text.

The Economist

The constant perusal of the storyboards pinned along the wall; the mute challenge of the pile of medium-grade bond paper and the pencil-sharpener full of shavings; the exposure-sheet tacked to the drawing-board, giving the exact times allotted to the scene and the dialogue; the knowledge that 30 feet of drawings, at 16 drawings a foot, would have a running time of merely 20 seconds.

The Economist

Perusal of the province's newspapers suggests that most districts of Baluchistan see an insurgent attack every few days.The foreign handUnwittingly, outsiders have stoked the conflict.

The Economist

(Amazon does not offer comprehensive statistics on this though a quick perusal of this Babbage's personal and surely unrepresentative library revealed only two of a dozen Kindle books had a loan option).Jeff Croft, a designer and programmer who built Lendle, says the system is designed around a community of trust and tokens of exchange.

The Economist

The 100,000 names that make up the new volumes are no longer synonymous with power or wealth.A perusal of the new edition shows why.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perusal" to convey a careful and detailed reading or examination of a text or object, particularly when thoroughness is important.

Common error

Avoid using "perusal" excessively in contexts where simpler words like "reading" or "review" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "perusal" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the action of carefully reading or examining something. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, indicating a deliberate and thorough inspection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perusal" is a grammatically correct noun that describes the act of carefully examining or reading something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is frequently used in various written contexts. Its usage is common in news and media, encyclopedias and scientific publications. When writing, "perusal" should be used to emphasize a thorough and attentive examination, and it's generally best to avoid overusing it in casual contexts where simpler terms would suffice. Alternative terms include "examination", "review", and "study".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

careful examination

Focuses on the thoroughness of the examination process.

thorough inspection

Highlights the detailed nature of the inspection.

close study

Emphasizes the attentiveness applied to the study.

detailed review

Stresses the level of detail in the review.

in-depth analysis

Indicates a comprehensive and profound analysis.

scrutinizing

Implies a critical and careful observation.

inspection

A more general term for examination, without necessarily implying care or detail.

review

A broad term that can refer to various levels of examination.

reading

Focuses specifically on the act of reading, rather than broader forms of examination.

study

Highlights the academic nature of the examination.

FAQs

How can I use "perusal" in a sentence?

You can use "perusal" to describe the act of carefully examining something, as in, "A careful perusal of the contract revealed several discrepancies."

What words can I use instead of "perusal"?

Alternatives to "perusal" include "examination", "review", "inspection", or "study", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "perusal" and "reading"?

"Perusal" implies a more thorough and attentive reading than simply "reading". "Perusal" suggests a detailed examination, while "reading" can be more general.

When is it appropriate to use "perusal" over other similar terms?

Use "perusal" when you want to emphasize the careful and detailed nature of the examination or reading. It's suitable when thoroughness is key, as opposed to a quick glance or casual read.