sketchy notes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sketchy notes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe notes that are incomplete, unclear, or lacking in detail. Example: "During the meeting, I took some sketchy notes that I need to clarify later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"From shadow to asphalt," Christian Lacroix wrote in the sketchy notes for his show on Tuesday at the Pompidou Center.

The New York Times

But Judge Duffy, in a ruling filed on Tuesday, said that a government contract employee who had interviewed the interpreter had waited awhile, and then prepared the summary "from memory and some sketchy notes".

The New York Times

Although he kept a journal of sorts and compiled sketchy notes for a memoir, which are included in his papers, Justice Blackmun never settled on a narrative that explained his own life.

The New York Times

It is from these sketchy notes, for instance, that the image of Jonson as perhaps the first trash talker of literary London ­emerges, in his assessment that John Donne, the great poet and Jonson's exact contemporary and friend, "deserved hanging" for "not keeping of accent".

The New York Times - Books

The value of the tape was not clear, Mr. Mead said, because no one was sure what was on it, although the written statements given later by five of the controllers were broadly consistent with "sketchy" notes taken by people in the Bat Cave.

The New York Times

Haley would secretly "pocket these sketchy notes" and reassemble them in a sub rosa attempt to integrate Malcolm X's "subconscious reflections" into the "workable narrative".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Whether you prefer to work from sketchy, simple notes or from detailed, full notes is up to you and the situation.

WikiHow

In addition to founding Company East, he formed a group called the J-Boys, described in the sketchy program notes as an "all-male, ultra-extreme show team".

The New York Times

It even appears that both games rely on the same sketchy design notes, like "Learn spells by copying movements," and "Make the chessmen kill each other".

The New York Times - Tech

There's no ideal collection of recent rai, but "Rai: The Best of the Original North African Grooves" (Manteca), despite sketchy liner notes and a few skippable songs, provides a glimpse of rai's variety as it leapfrogs around the last two decades.

The New York Times

According to the sketchy press notes, the films were "selected from a collection of 300 one-reelers discovered in the attic of 'a very respectable family.' " About half of them have been preserved and restored by the Centre National de la Cinématographie, the government body in charge of France's cinematic patrimony.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sketchy notes", consider the context. If you need detailed information, supplement these notes with more reliable sources or expand upon them as soon as possible.

Common error

Avoid making critical decisions based solely on "sketchy notes". Always cross-reference with more comprehensive and verified data to ensure accuracy and avoid potential errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sketchy notes" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "sketchy" modifies the noun "notes", indicating that the notes are incomplete, unreliable, or lacking detail. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides multiple examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sketchy notes" is used to describe notes that are incomplete, unreliable, or lacking in detail. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, including news, media, and general writing, indicating a Neutral register. While "sketchy notes" is a useful descriptor, it's crucial to avoid over-reliance on such notes in critical decision-making and to supplement them with more reliable sources. Alternatives like "rough notes" or "hasty notes" can be used depending on the context. Overall, the phrase is a common and accepted way to refer to notes of questionable quality or completeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough draft

Refers to a preliminary version of a document or plan, implying incompleteness.

hasty record

Implies the notes were taken quickly and potentially lack detail.

incomplete memoranda

Suggests that the notes are not fully detailed or finalized.

unreliable jottings

Emphasizes the lack of dependability of the notes.

fragmentary accounts

Highlights the broken or disconnected nature of the notes.

preliminary scribbles

Indicates early-stage, informal writing.

imperfect transcript

Highlights the inaccuracies or omissions in the notes.

quick annotations

Focuses on the speed and lack of thoroughness in the note-taking process.

tenuous documentation

Stresses the weakness and unreliability of the notes as evidence.

fleeting observations

Implies the notes capture brief or superficial details.

FAQs

How can I use "sketchy notes" in a sentence?

"Sketchy notes" can be used to describe informal or incomplete records. For example: "The detective relied on "sketchy notes" from the crime scene, which made the investigation challenging." or "The professor's "sketchy notes" were difficult to decipher after the lecture."

What does "sketchy notes" mean?

"Sketchy notes" refers to notes that are incomplete, lacking in detail, or unreliable. They may be hastily written or based on incomplete information.

What are some alternatives to saying "sketchy notes"?

Alternatives include "rough notes", "hasty notes", or "incomplete records", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "sketchy notes"?

It's appropriate to use "sketchy notes" when you want to convey that the notes in question are not comprehensive or entirely trustworthy. This term is suitable for informal conversations and writings where a high degree of precision is not required. Avoid using this term in legal/formal documentation because it's informal and may denote a lack of seriousness.