superficially

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "superficially" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that appears to be or appears to have been done without thought to the underlying facts or implications. Example: The new employee was only superficially trained, and quickly made several mistakes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Superficially it was impressive but the reality was it wasn't there in numbers or in fighting energy".

The Guardian

"There was much discussion this year about whether certain books, which superficially appeared eligible, actually contained writing about sex that was bad enough for them to be shortlisted".

The Guardian - Books

Some 50 per cent of the buildings in the central town have been destroyed - including many that seem superficially to have survived but will have to be pulled down.

The Guardian

It is easy to forget how simple and superficially alluring wallowing in the feeling of injustice or retribution for past hurt can be.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Wales, echoes of what's happening in Scotland are superficially harder to find.

The Guardian

Miliband's Wonga economics is superficially attractive in the short term, punitively expensive in the long term.

The Guardian - Opinion

Superficially at least, Daldry still appears wedded to the student-company lifestyle for which he was renowned throughout his decade-long tenure as the London theatre world's shining star.

The Guardian

But it does tend to get the consolation vote; last year Gravity, with all its superficially dubious nationality, took it, while 12 Years a Slave won top honours – which this year would mean a win for The Theory of Everything.

The Guardian - Film

Though built by private firms, they are the result of taxpayer-financed programmes, often on a "cost-plus" basis, that only superficially resemble anything which a real entrepreneur would recognise as free-market capitalism.

The Economist

The opposition, led in part by politicians of the Socialist-Liberal former government (2002 2009), missed the chance to debate the agreement seriously in parliament, but is denouncing it in the political arena as part of the opposition's ongoing electoral campaign.That marks a big change, at least superficially.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

So the return of a superficially-reformed Golkar remains a real possibility.The party is divided, however, over how and when to resurrect itself.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "superficially" with verbs that indicate perception or appearance, such as "seem", "appear", or "look", to emphasize the preliminary nature of the observation.

Common error

Avoid using "superficially" when you simply mean "slightly" or "somewhat". "Superficially" implies a lack of depth or thoroughness, not just a small degree of something.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "superficially" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that an action, quality, or state is only apparent or evident on the surface, without deeper examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a lack of thoroughness or depth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "superficially" is a common and grammatically correct term used to indicate that something appears a certain way on the surface, without deeper examination. As Ludwig AI explains, it is suitable for use when you want to highlight the lack of thoroughness or depth in an assessment. This analysis, drawing from a variety of sources primarily from News & Media and Formal contexts, shows that the word is mainly employed to contrast appearance with reality. Related phrases like "on the surface" and "apparently" can serve as alternatives depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use "superficially" when you intend to point out that an initial impression may be incomplete or misleading, avoiding its misuse as a simple synonym for "slightly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the surface

Emphasizes the initial or apparent aspect of something, often implying that further examination is needed.

apparently

Indicates that something seems to be the case, but without certainty or deep investigation.

outwardly

Focuses on the external appearance or behavior, suggesting a possible contrast with inner reality.

ostensibly

Highlights the stated or presented reason for something, which may not be the true reason.

seemingly

Suggests that something appears to be a certain way, but may not actually be so.

on the face of it

Implies that something seems true based on initial observation, though further investigation might reveal otherwise.

at first glance

Highlights an initial impression or assessment, which may change upon closer inspection.

from a cursory perspective

Indicates that the view is not deep and it lacks details.

in a shallow manner

Emphasizes the lack of depth or thoroughness in how something is done or considered.

without depth

Directly points out the absence of thoroughness or profundity in an analysis or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "superficially" in a sentence?

Use "superficially" to indicate that something appears a certain way at first glance, but may not be entirely accurate upon closer inspection. For example: "The problem was only "superficially" addressed, requiring further attention."

What are some alternatives to saying "superficially"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "apparently", "outwardly", or "on the surface" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say something is "superficially similar"?

Yes, "superficially similar" is a correct and common usage. It means that two things appear similar at first, but have significant differences upon closer examination.

What's the difference between "superficially" and "slightly"?

"Superficially" implies a lack of depth or thoroughness in examining something, while "slightly" indicates a small degree or extent. They are not interchangeable; use "superficially" when you want to emphasize the lack of detailed analysis.