shallowly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shallowly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action done in a superficial or cursory manner, often relating to depth or understanding. Example: "He only shallowly understood the complexities of the issue, missing the deeper implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With the right data in hand, what might have been armchair musings about cultural matters can be solidified, quantified, presented graphically and perhaps even made predictive .The non-scientists have a rooted impression that the scientists are shallowly optimistic, unaware of man's condition," Dr Snow argued in his lecture of legend.

The Economist

But seven years later the Russian state consists of a few shallowly rooted institutions a presidency, a parliament, a central bank and so on which have yet to earn public trust, and which are dwarfed by an impenetrable and antique hinterland of cynicism, incompetence, racketeering and bureaucratic dead-weight.In this section Will the Faeroes flee the nest?

The Economist

His neighbours the Marquise de Tourville and the Vicomtesse de Suffévent, relics of the French revolution maybe, who died in London around 1840, will soon go the same way.In many a country churchyard, few pre-1800 stofes of any interest are legible; epitaphs were usually carved more shallowly than the names of the dead.

The Economist

The idea that this he-man might actually have been gay is, he thinks, shallowly rooted though Gregory did provide ammunition by calling his father "Ernestine, dear".

The Economist

Among the higher primates, for example, those of chimpanzees are slightly oval, those of gorillas and humans have shallowly notched edges, and those of orangutans have edges that are deeply notched.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Typically flat or shallowly cup-shaped, the flowers are radially symmetric and feature flower parts in multiples of five or four.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Typically, the flowers are rather flat or shallowly cup-shaped, produce nectar, and are pollinated by a variety of insects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is 18 to 45 m (60 to 150 feet) tall, with pale-gray, shallowly fissured, scaly bark.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It adds up to a shallowly appealing, summery package; glossily produced and personality free.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shallowly" to precisely convey a lack of depth, whether in understanding, emotion, or physical penetration. For instance, "The roots were shallowly planted" emphasizes the instability.

Common error

Avoid using "shallowly" when a simpler adverb like "slightly" or "lightly" would suffice. Overusing "shallowly" can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For example, prefer "lightly covered" over "shallowly covered" when describing a dusting of snow.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "shallowly" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating that an action or state is performed or exists without significant depth, intensity, or thoroughness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

26%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shallowly" functions as an adverb to describe a lack of depth or thoroughness, applicable in both physical and abstract senses. It's grammatically sound and frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts, as validated by Ludwig AI. When writing, consider if simpler alternatives like "slightly" or ""superficially"" might be more appropriate to avoid unnecessary complexity. Use "shallowly" when you need to convey a specific lack of depth or penetration, while choosing synonyms thoughtfully to ensure clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superficially

Indicates a lack of thoroughness or depth, focusing on the surface level.

cursorily

Suggests a hasty and superficial examination or action.

slightly

Indicates a small degree or extent of something.

faintly

Implies a weak or indistinct quality.

lightly

Describes an action done with little force or intensity.

perfunctorily

Suggests a routine or indifferent performance of a task.

tangentially

Indicates a connection that is indirect or barely relevant.

in a skin-deep manner

Emphasizes the lack of depth and focus on the superficial aspects.

without depth

Directly states the absence of profound understanding or intensity.

in a facile way

Implies an ease that lacks sincerity or thoughtfulness.

FAQs

How can I use "shallowly" in a sentence?

You can use "shallowly" to describe actions or states that lack depth. For example, "The film treats complex issues "superficially"" or "The roots were planted "without much depth"".

What are some synonyms for "shallowly"?

Some synonyms for "shallowly" include ""superficially"", "cursorily", "slightly", and "faintly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "shallowly" in formal writing?

Yes, "shallowly" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing when you need to express a lack of depth or thoroughness. However, consider whether a simpler alternative like "briefly" or "lightly" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

What is the difference between "shallowly" and "superficially"?

Both "shallowly" and ""superficially"" indicate a lack of depth, but "shallowly" often relates to a physical lack of depth or penetration, while "superficially" more commonly refers to a lack of thoroughness or understanding. For example, you might say something is "shallowly buried" or that an issue was treated "superficially".