summarise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "summarise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to present a brief overview of something. Example Sentence: In this paper, I'll summarise the key points of my argument.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said a paper he filed on 24 November to Fifa showed why "when viewed in the context of the report it purported to summarise, no principled approach could justify the Eckert decision's edits, omissions and additions".

The Guardian - Sport

I've lost count of the number of stories in it, but I will summarise them shortly.

The Guardian

Hard to summarise how this opened my eyes to a different world.

The Guardian - Books

To summarise the plot, barely: our resurrected Belacqua is first accosted by a prostitute called Zabarovna Privet, then the infertile Lord Gall of Wormwood, and finally, as his own headstone, the groundsman/gravedigger Doyle (who, the text tells us, had appeared unnamed in "Draff", the final story in Pricks).

The Guardian - Books

It could summarise current law and express expected standards of behaviour.

The Guardian

We face two claims – you meet them everywhere you turn – that summarise the politics against which we are working.

The Guardian - Tech

There couldn't be a more apt dish to summarise our time in Lincolnshire.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Boundary Commission publishes the new seats area by area and there is no central attempt to summarise the impact on the individual parties.

The Guardian

The MRRT imposed on July 1st is a watered-down compromise negotiated between Mr Rudd's successor, Julia Gillard, and Australia's three biggest mining firms.Let me briefly summarise how the MRRT falls short of the rent tax recommended by the Henry review and the super-profits tax proposed by Mr Rudd.

The Economist

Letters are welcome via e-mail to [email protected] indicatorsSIR – Your discussion of the World Bank's "Doing Business" report flagged the benefit to policymakers of measures that summarise valuable information ("Stand up for 'Doing Business'", May 25th).

The Economist

However, all sides in the argument about the future of the European Union would profit from reading his book, which manages to summarise old arguments in a succinct and accessible way, while also introducing stimulating new ideas to the debate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, start by identifying the key points, and then "summarise" them in a clear and concise manner. This ensures clarity and saves the reader's time.

Common error

Avoid over-simplifying the material when you "summarise". Ensure that the summary captures the essence and avoids misleading interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "summarise" is to act as a verb, indicating the action of creating a concise version of a longer text or speech. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis indicates that "summarise" functions primarily as a verb used to denote the act of creating a shorter version of a text or speech. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across varied domains, including news, science, and formal communication. When writing, it is important to focus on concisely presenting the core essence while avoiding over-simplification. Alternative phrases such as "sum up" or "recapitulate" can add nuance. The goal of using "summarise" is to help readers grasp key information efficiently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sum up

Implies a concise concluding statement.

recapitulate

Suggests a formal and detailed review.

outline

Focuses on the main points or structure.

give a synopsis

Emphasizes a brief overview of a story or plot.

condense

Implies reducing the volume or length.

abstract

Focuses on the essence, often in academic writing.

present a digest

Indicates a structured and organized summary.

boil down to

Suggests simplifying a complex issue to its core elements.

put in a nutshell

Implies extreme brevity and simplification.

review briefly

Offers a short overview.

FAQs

How do I use "summarise" effectively in a sentence?

Use "summarise" to introduce a brief overview of main points. For example, "Let me "summarise" the key findings of the report."

What are some alternatives to "summarise"?

You can use alternatives like "sum up", "recapitulate", or "outline" to vary your language.

Is there a difference between "summarise" and "recapitulate"?

"Summarise" generally means to give a brief overview, while "recapitulate" implies a more detailed and formal review.

How do I avoid common mistakes when using "summarise"?

Ensure that when you "summarise", you capture the core essence of the topic without oversimplifying or misrepresenting the original information.