scratched the surface

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scratched the surface" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that only a small part of a topic has been explored or understood. Example: "After reviewing the initial data, we realized we had only scratched the surface of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I've only scratched the surface.

The New Yorker

I've barely scratched the surface.

Independent

"We have not scratched the surface.

The New Yorker

But that only scratched the surface.

The New York Times

But I've only scratched the surface.

Harvard University

And we still haven't scratched the surface.

The Guardian - Travel

And he has only scratched the surface.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Scratch the surface.

Independent

That just scratches the surface.

The New York Times

Scratching the surface.

Harvard University

This barely scratches the surface.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "scratched the surface" to indicate that an initial exploration of a topic has revealed potential for deeper investigation. For example, "The initial study scratched the surface of the problem, indicating the need for further research."

Common error

Avoid using "scratched the surface" in a literal sense (e.g., describing damage to an object). This phrase is primarily idiomatic and should be used to describe a superficial understanding or exploration, not physical markings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scratched the surface" functions as an idiomatic expression, often used as a verb phrase to indicate that only a small part of a subject, problem, or situation has been examined or understood. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "scratched the surface" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that an exploration or understanding of a topic is preliminary or incomplete. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in written English. With numerous examples from sources like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Forbes, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid literal interpretations and to consider more formal alternatives for highly academic or technical writing. This analysis highlights its widespread usage and idiomatic strength, making it a valuable phrase for expressing initial engagement with complex subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only touched upon

Suggests a very brief examination, implying even less depth than "scratched the surface".

barely skimmed the top

Emphasizes the superficial nature of the exploration.

only begun to explore

Focuses on the starting point of an investigation, implying much more remains to be discovered.

only addressed superficially

Highlights the lack of depth in dealing with a subject.

left much unexplored

Focuses on the large amount of the subject that was not explored.

only made a start on

Similar to "only begun to explore", but perhaps implying that very little work has been done

only given a glimpse of

Emphasizes how little someone has been allowed to see or understand.

not delved deeply into

A formal way of saying that a subject has not been investigated thoroughly.

failed to fully investigate

Suggests that a more thorough investigation was warranted but didn't happen.

omitted important details

It focuses on the consequence of that missing exploration of details.

FAQs

How can I use "scratched the surface" in a sentence?

You can use "scratched the surface" to express that you've only briefly touched upon a topic. For example, "This report has only "scratched the surface" of the complex issues involved."

What's the difference between "scratched the surface" and "fully explored"?

"Scratched the surface" indicates a preliminary or incomplete examination, whereas "fully explored" suggests a comprehensive and thorough investigation. If you "scratched the surface", there's much more to uncover.

What are some alternatives to "scratched the surface"?

Alternatives include "only touched upon", "barely skimmed the top", or "only begun to explore" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "scratched the surface" in formal writing?

Yes, "scratched the surface" is acceptable in formal writing to convey that a topic has been only partially explored. However, be mindful of your audience and context. More formal alternatives like "not delved deeply into" may be preferable in certain situations.