quick scan

USAGE SUMMARY

"quick scan" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in business contexts to refer to a brief review of something for the purpose of spotting major issues or points of interest. For example: We did a quick scan of the company's financial records and found an error in the asset calculation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sewel should give Vice a quick scan.

Independent

A quick scan turns up more than 70.

The New York Times

Another quick scan ensures no big news happened overnight.

The New York Times

Before I embark I do a quick scan of online guides to learning poetry by heart.

The Guardian - Books

A quick scan of the papers demonstrates that most experts are still mystified by this team.

The Guardian - Sport

It was always going to be a quick scan, nothing serious.

The Guardian - Sport

A quick scan reveals that your toe is just bruised, not broken.

The Guardian - Tech

The ayes had it, a quick scan of the room made clear, 90 to 11.

The New York Times

A quick scan around the internet reveals these lateral-thinking gems.

The Guardian

"I can't see anything from a quick scan of Scottish Cup and FA Cup finals".

The Guardian - Sport

You can save the free version to your desktop and run a Quick Scan.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term, ensure that the context clearly implies that the scan is not exhaustive. For instance, "A "quick scan" of the data revealed some initial trends, but further analysis is needed."

Common error

Avoid using "quick scan" if you want to describe a detailed or comprehensive examination. The term implies a lack of thoroughness, so it's unsuitable for situations where precision is required. Consider a phrase like "thorough assessment" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quick scan" typically functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb (e.g., 'perform a "quick scan"') or as part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., 'after a "quick scan"'). Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is generally considered correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quick scan" is a versatile and commonly used term for describing a brief and superficial examination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with a wide range of applications across various contexts. As Ludwig's analysis reveals, while primarily found in news and media, its neutral tone and presence in science and business make it suitable for diverse communication needs. Remember to use it when you need to suggest a brief assessment without implying thoroughness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cursory review

Replaces "scan" with "review", emphasizing a superficial examination.

brief overview

Substitutes "scan" with "overview", suggesting a summary or high-level view.

rapid assessment

Uses "assessment" instead of "scan", implying a quicker evaluation.

swift inspection

Employs "inspection", indicating a closer look, but still rapid.

hasty look

Replaces "scan" with "look", emphasizing speed and lack of detail.

fast check

Uses simpler terms, conveying a quick verification process.

speedy examination

Similar to inspection but highlights the speed of examination.

superficial analysis

Focuses on the depth of analysis rather than the method.

preliminary check

Highlights the initial nature of the check or scan.

fleeting glance

Suggests an even quicker and less detailed observation.

FAQs

How can I use "quick scan" in a sentence?

You can use "quick scan" to describe a brief review, like in "I did a "quick scan" of the document before the meeting" or "Perform a "quick scan" of the website to check for broken links".

What are some alternatives to using "quick scan"?

Alternatives include /s/cursory+review, /s/brief+overview, or /s/rapid+assessment depending on the context and the level of detail implied.

Is "quick scan" formal or informal?

"Quick scan" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both professional and informal contexts. However, for more formal settings, /s/thorough+assessment might be more appropriate.

What does "quick scan" mean?

"Quick scan" means to briefly examine something to get a general idea or identify key points without going into a deep analysis. It implies a fast and superficial review.