skimming over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skimming over" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to quickly glance over or read through something without going into much detail. Example: She was running late for her presentation, so she had to skim over the important points in her notes. In this sentence, "skim over" is used to show that the speaker did not have enough time to thoroughly review their notes and instead had to quickly read through them without going into too much detail.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Closer to our vessel, giant albatrosses fly alongside, as if guiding us through the ice flow, wing tips almost skimming over the dark and deadly waters.

Independent

3. Play Netflix Roulette Do you ever wish Netflix had a "random" button, so you didn't spend the prime of your life skimming over 4,000 titles, only to settle on re-watching Parks & Recreation for the hundredth time?

Huffington Post

Even a few minutes of skimming over well taken, organized notes can make a big difference in your comprehension and grade.

WikiHow

I run for miles, skimming over the packed sand.

The New Yorker

Skimming over rows of mud huts and palm groves, Maj.

The New York Times

In seconds the bear biologist was skimming over the swamp.

The Guardian - Books

The ideal substitute comes skimming over the turf, terrifying tired defenders with his energy and agility.

Independent

There is something quite unseemly about the notion of skimming over the literary canon.

The Guardian - Books

When it came to Mary Byrne, it was all about sequins and skimming over problem areas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"If they are skimming over rooftops and trees, they will be almost impossible to shoot down," he maintains.

The New York Times

On August 31st last year, it sent a prototype three-stage missile skimming over the Japanese archipelago.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional or academic contexts, use this phrase to describe a preliminary review of data or notes that precedes a deeper analysis.

Common error

Do not confuse "skimming over" with "glossing over". While both imply brevity, skimming is a method of rapid movement or reading, whereas glossing often implies a deceptive intent to minimize or hide important but problematic details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skimming over" functions as a phrasal verb typically used in the present participle form to describe a continuous action. According to Ludwig AI, it combines the verb 'skim' (to move lightly or read quickly) with the preposition 'over' to indicate the path of movement. It can take direct objects like "notes", "water" or "topics".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki & General Knowledge

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "skimming over" is a versatile and highly correct English expression used to denote rapid, non-intensive movement or review. Ludwig AI indicates that it is equally at home describing an ice skater on a pond as it is describing a student reviewing exam notes. Its strength lies in its ability to communicate brevity and efficiency without necessarily implying negligence. However, writers should be careful not to use it when they actually mean "ignoring" or "omitting", as the phrase always implies some level of contact or engagement with the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glancing through

Focuses specifically on the visual act of looking at text or images quickly.

gliding over

Emphasizes smooth, effortless physical movement just above a surface.

scanning through

Often implies looking for specific information rather than just a general gist.

brushing over

Suggests a brief mention or slight touch, often regarding topics or subjects.

reading cursorily

A more formal and academic way to describe reading without attention to detail.

scudding across

Used primarily for fast, light movement driven by wind or momentum, like clouds or boats.

skipping through

Implies a more fragmented approach, potentially missing larger sections entirely.

surveying briefly

Suggests a structured but short evaluation or overview.

leafing through

Specific to physical media like books or magazines where pages are turned rapidly.

glossing over

Carries a negative connotation of avoiding difficult or unpleasant details.

FAQs

How to use "skimming over" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical motion, such as "The albatross was "skimming over" the waves", or reading, like "I spent the morning "skimming over" the report before the meeting".

What can I say instead of "skimming over"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "glancing through", "gliding over" or "scanning".

What is the difference between "skimming over" and "skimming through"?

While often interchangeable, "skimming over" usually emphasizes the surface or the lack of depth, whereas "skimming through" suggests moving from the beginning to the end of a volume or document.

Is "skimming over" formal enough for an essay?

It is perfectly acceptable in most academic writing, though for a more formal tone, you might prefer "reviewing briefly" or "examining cursorily".