very summary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very summary" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to describe something that is extremely brief or concise, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "The report was very summary, lacking detailed analysis and depth."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A very summary reference to the cases will be made for the purpose of indicating why this is said.

Cornell University

MR. UROWSKY -- I think the position, again, is set forth in the brief, but in very summary form, there is a great and not benign contradiction underlying the government's case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Here's a very brisk summary.

The Guardian - Business

Very nice summary of what you have seen in Nepal.

University of California, Berkeley

He maintains a thorough and very accessible summary of cycling law online.

The Guardian

She tweeted one, "with a very brief summary of what they said.

The Guardian - Tech

"The psychology of stupidity" is not, in any case, a very apt summary.

The Guardian

Can you give me a very quick summary of the essential claim of this book?

The Guardian - Tech

That, you will note, is a very good summary of the pitch Putin made Monday.

The Washington Post

Sir Henry Rawlinson gave a very clear summary of the work which Lieut.

Nature

Here's a very brisk summary of the state of play.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "very summary" is adequate, try to combine it with a positive remark, like "very accurate summary", "very lucid summary", etc.

Common error

While "very" can amplify adjectives, overuse can weaken your writing. In formal contexts, stronger, more precise adjectives often create a greater impact than relying on intensifiers like "very". For instance, instead of a "very summary" report, aim for a "concise" or "abridged" one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very summary" functions as a descriptive phrase, with "very" acting as an intensifier modifying the noun "summary". It aims to emphasize the brevity or conciseness of a summary. Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is acceptable but not standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very summary" is used to describe something that is extremely brief. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests that it's not the most common or elegant phrasing. It tends to appear in news, academic, and scientific contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "concise summary" or "brief overview". Despite its relative infrequency, "very summary" effectively communicates brevity, but stronger adjectives often create a greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concise summary

Replaces "very" with "concise", focusing on brevity and clarity.

brief overview

Substitutes "summary" with "overview", suggesting a less detailed account.

short synopsis

Employs "synopsis" for a succinct and structured summary.

succinct outline

Focuses on the clarity and conciseness of the summary.

quick rundown

Uses "rundown" for a faster, more informal summary.

abridged version

Highlights the reduced length of the summary compared to the original.

terse recap

Suggests a brief and to-the-point summary.

compressed account

Implies that the summary has been condensed.

compact digest

Implies a concentrated and easily digestible summary.

streamlined report

Highlights the efficiency and focus of the summary.

FAQs

What does "very summary" mean?

The phrase "very summary" means a summary that is extremely brief or concise. Although it is not a standard expression, it is employed to emphasize the succinctness of a summary.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very summary"?

While not incorrect, "very summary" is less common and might sound awkward in formal writing. Alternatives like "concise summary" or "brief overview" are often preferred.

What are some alternatives to "very summary"?

You can use alternatives such as "concise summary", "brief synopsis", or "quick rundown" depending on the specific context and level of formality you're aiming for.

How can I use "very summary" effectively in a sentence?

Use "very summary" to describe something that lacks detail or is extremely brief. For example: "The report was a very summary, lacking detailed analysis and depth."