§ How to use it in a sentence — grammar, prepositions
The adjective 'summary' is used to describe actions, procedures, or reports that are brief, quick, or carried out without the usual formalities. It often implies an expedited process, sometimes at the expense of thoroughness or detailed consideration. When you use 'summary' in a sentence, it typically precedes the noun it modifies. There are no specific prepositions that are exclusively linked to 'summary' as an adjective; rather, the prepositions used will depend on the verb or other elements in the sentence.
- Grammar
- As an adjective, 'summary' modifies a noun. It can be used in both attributive (before the noun) and predicative (after a linking verb) positions, though it is far more common in the attributive position.
The judge issued a summary judgment, dismissing the case due to lack of evidence.
He received a summary dismissal from his position after the incident.
- Common Nouns Modified by 'Summary'
- Judgment: A quick legal decision without a full trial.
- Dismissal: A quick termination or removal from a position.
- Procedure: A simplified or expedited way of doing something.
- Report: A brief account of information.
- Execution: A swift and direct carrying out of a task or order.
- Conviction: A quick legal finding of guilt.
Let's look at some examples of 'summary' in various contexts:
The police were authorized to take summary action against looters during the emergency.
In this example, 'summary action' implies immediate and decisive measures without a lengthy legal process.
The board decided on a summary review of the financial records, hoping to find the discrepancy quickly.
Here, 'summary review' suggests a quick, abbreviated examination rather than a thorough audit.
The editor asked for a summary report of the meeting, just the key points.
'Summary report' in this context means a concise report highlighting only the most important information.
While 'summary' as an adjective doesn't typically require specific prepositions, it's often followed by prepositions associated with the noun it modifies. For instance:
A summary judgment against the defendant.
A summary dismissal from office.
A summary procedure for resolving disputes.
In these cases, the prepositions 'against,' 'from,' and 'for' are governed by the nouns 'judgment,' 'dismissal,' and 'procedure' respectively, not directly by 'summary.'
The company's swift and summary response to the crisis was praised by investors.
Here, 'summary response' denotes a quick and decisive action, emphasizing efficiency in handling the crisis.
- Formal Usage
- 'Summary' is often found in legal, administrative, and official contexts where swift and decisive action is taken, or when brevity is required. It lends a formal tone to the description of these actions.
The regulations allow for a summary trial in cases of minor infractions.
This sentence illustrates its use in a legal context, indicating a trial that is conducted quickly and informally, suitable for less serious offenses.
How Formal Is It?
"The committee decided to take expeditious action to resolve the matter, bypassing the usual lengthy procedures."
"A quick decision was made to change the meeting venue due to unforeseen circumstances."
"The boss made a snap decision to close early on Friday."
"Mommy made a fast choice to get ice cream after school."
"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, we just decided to go to the concert."
知っておくべき文法
Summary can precede a noun it modifies, such as 'summary judgment' or 'summary execution,' indicating a quick, often abbreviated, version of that noun.
The judge issued a summary judgment, bypassing a lengthy trial.
When used in relation to legal or official processes, 'summary' often implies a lack of full procedure or a rapid resolution, contrasting with a more detailed or formal approach.
Due to the clear evidence, the court proceeded with a summary hearing rather than a full trial.
Summary can be used to describe actions or processes that are concise or brief, focusing on the main points rather than extensive detail.
The report provided a summary overview of the project's progress.
It can also describe a quick and often harsh action, particularly in an official context, where due process might be expedited or limited.
The immediate dismissal was a summary action against the insubordinate employee.
While 'summary' as an adjective means concise or done quickly, it's important not to confuse it with the noun 'summary,' which refers to a brief statement of the main points.
The committee decided on a summary review of the applications before making a final decision. (adjective) / Please provide a summary of your findings. (noun)
文法パターン
慣用句と表現
"in short order"
very quickly; without delay
The new system allowed us to process the requests in short order.
neutral"cut to the chase"
to get to the point without delay
Let's cut to the chase – what do you need from me?
informal"in a nutshell"
in the fewest possible words
In a nutshell, the project was a complete success.
neutral"make short work of something"
to deal with something quickly and easily
The team made short work of the remaining tasks.
neutral"without further ado"
without any more delay or formality
And now, without further ado, let's welcome our next speaker.
formal"get to the bottom line"
to focus on the most important or essential aspect of something
When you get to the bottom line, it's all about profitability.
neutral"straight to the point"
directly and clearly to the main topic
Her presentation was concise and went straight to the point.
neutral"take a shortcut"
to take a more direct and quicker route or method
To save time, we decided to take a shortcut through the park.
neutral"wrap it up"
to finish something quickly; to conclude
Let's wrap it up and get ready for the next meeting.
informal"at a glance"
with a quick look; immediately apparent
I could tell at a glance that something was wrong.
neutral文型パターン
A summary dismissal was issued due to a clear violation of company policy.
The employee received a summary dismissal for repeatedly arriving late.
The court took summary action against the offender.
The judge ordered a summary judgment in the case.
They decided on a summary procedure to resolve the dispute quickly.
A summary procedure was adopted to speed up the decision-making process.
The report provided a summary account of the incident.
The news anchor gave a summary account of the day's events.
The board enacted a summary resolution to address the urgent matter.
To prevent further delays, the committee passed a summary resolution.
Despite the lack of full investigation, a summary conclusion was reached.
The police made a summary conclusion based on the initial evidence.
The document contained a summary outline of the proposed plan.
The presentation started with a summary outline of the project goals.
Such summary justice is often criticized for its lack of due process.
The public debated whether summary justice is ever truly fair.
語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
暗記しよう
記憶術
To remember 'summary' as an adjective meaning quick and without formalities, think: **S**hort **U**nderstanding **M**akes **M**atters **A**lways **R**un **Y**ard-fast. This emphasizes the speed and lack of detail.
視覚的連想
Imagine a judge in a courtroom, but instead of a long, formal trial, he's quickly stamping a document with a big, bold 'SUMMARY JUDGMENT' stamp, and he's wearing roller skates, speeding through the process. This visual connects the idea of speed, a legal context, and lack of formality.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Describe a situation where a 'summary' decision would be appropriate, and one where it would not. For example, 'A summary dismissal of an employee might save time but could be unjust.' Or, 'The teacher gave a summary review of the chapter before the test, rather than a detailed lecture.'
自分をテスト 12 問
The judge made a ___ decision, concluding the case in a single day.
Summary, as an adjective, means done immediately and without the usual formalities or attention to detail. In this context, it refers to a quick decision.
Due to the urgent nature of the situation, the committee took ___ action to address the problem.
Summary action implies a swift and direct response, fitting the urgent nature described in the sentence.
The principal gave a ___ explanation of the new rules during the morning assembly.
A summary explanation is a brief and concise one, which is appropriate for an assembly where time is limited.
A summary judgment in a legal case indicates a long and complex trial process.
A summary judgment is a legal decision made by a court without a full trial, meaning it's a quick resolution.
If a report provides a summary overview, it means it includes every single detail.
A summary overview implies a concise and abbreviated presentation of information, not every detail.
Taking summary measures suggests a slow and careful approach to a problem.
Summary measures refer to actions taken quickly and directly, without delay or excessive formality.
Imagine you are a journalist reporting on a local government's decision to implement a new policy with a 'summary' process. Write a short paragraph explaining what this 'summary' process entails and what its potential benefits and drawbacks might be for the community.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The local council has opted for a summary approval process for the new downtown revitalization project. This means decisions will be made much quicker than usual, bypassing some of the standard bureaucratic formalities to expedite construction. While proponents argue this will boost efficiency and bring much-needed development sooner, critics express concerns that a lack of thorough public review and oversight might lead to unforeseen negative consequences or compromise due process for affected residents.
You are writing a formal email to a colleague about a project deadline. You need to explain that a particular task will be handled in a 'summary' fashion due to time constraints. Briefly describe what you mean by 'summary' in this context and what implications it has for the task.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Subject: Project X Update - Task Y Hi [Colleague's Name], Just an update on Task Y for Project X. Due to our tight deadline, we'll be handling this task in a more summary fashion than initially planned. This means we'll focus only on the essential elements and core requirements, omitting some of the more detailed analysis and peripheral considerations we might typically include. Our goal is to expedite its completion while still ensuring key objectives are met. Please let me know if you have any questions. Best regards, [Your Name]
Describe a situation where a 'summary judgment' would be appropriate in a legal context. Explain what a summary judgment is and why it's used.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A summary judgment in a legal case is appropriate when there are no genuine disputes about the essential facts of the case, and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. For example, if a plaintiff sues a defendant for breach of contract, and the defendant openly admits to the breach and there's clear documentation of the contract and damages, a judge might issue a summary judgment. This is used to resolve cases without the need for a full trial, saving time and resources for the courts and the parties involved, especially when a trial would be a mere formality.
What is the primary reason for classifying certain crimes as 'summary offenses'?
Read this passage:
In many legal systems, a 'summary offense' refers to a minor crime that can be dealt with quickly by a magistrate or judge without the need for a jury trial. These offenses often include traffic violations, petty theft, or minor public order disturbances. The intention behind such a classification is to streamline the judicial process for less serious infractions, allowing for more efficient use of court resources and swifter justice.
What is the primary reason for classifying certain crimes as 'summary offenses'?
The passage states that the intention behind summary offenses is 'to streamline the judicial process for less serious infractions, allowing for more efficient use of court resources and swifter justice.'
The passage states that the intention behind summary offenses is 'to streamline the judicial process for less serious infractions, allowing for more efficient use of court resources and swifter justice.'
What was the project manager's main goal in providing a 'summary report'?
Read this passage:
A project manager decided to give a 'summary report' during the weekly meeting instead of the usual detailed presentation. This meant she focused on the key achievements, immediate challenges, and next steps, omitting the extensive background information and granular data that would typically be included. Her aim was to keep the meeting brief and focused, ensuring everyone understood the critical aspects of the project without getting bogged down in minutiae.
What was the project manager's main goal in providing a 'summary report'?
The passage explicitly states, 'Her aim was to keep the meeting brief and focused, ensuring everyone understood the critical aspects of the project without getting bogged down in minutiae.'
The passage explicitly states, 'Her aim was to keep the meeting brief and focused, ensuring everyone understood the critical aspects of the project without getting bogged down in minutiae.'
What does a 'summary dismissal' of an appeal imply?
Read this passage:
The court's decision was described as a 'summary dismissal' of the appeal. This indicated that the appeal was rejected without a full hearing or extensive deliberation, usually because it was deemed to lack legal merit or proper grounds for consideration. Such a dismissal is often a swift legal action, intended to prevent frivolous or clearly unfounded appeals from consuming valuable court time and resources.
What does a 'summary dismissal' of an appeal imply?
The passage states that a 'summary dismissal' means 'the appeal was rejected without a full hearing or extensive deliberation, usually because it was deemed to lack legal merit or proper grounds for consideration.'
The passage states that a 'summary dismissal' means 'the appeal was rejected without a full hearing or extensive deliberation, usually because it was deemed to lack legal merit or proper grounds for consideration.'
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
例文
The teacher provided a summary explanation of the complex theorem to save time.
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関連フレーズ
Communicationの関連語
aah
A1ほっとしたり、満足したり、喜んだりした時に出す声です。痛い時や驚いた時に使うこともあります。
accentuate
C1To make a particular feature of something more noticeable or prominent. It is frequently used to describe how one thing emphasizes the beauty, importance, or intensity of another.
acknowledgment
B2An acknowledgment is the act of accepting or admitting that something is true, or a formal statement confirming that something has been received. It can also refer to a public expression of thanks for someone's help or contribution.
actually
B1Actually is used to emphasize that something is a real fact or the truth, often contrasting with what was thought or said. It can also be used to introduce a surprising piece of information or to gently correct someone.
address
A2誰かに直接話しかけることや、問題に対処すること。スピーチをする時や、手紙に宛先を書く時にも使うよ。
addressee
B2The person or organization to whom a letter, package, or message is addressed. It refers to the intended recipient of a piece of communication.
adlocment
C1Describes a style of communication or behavior that is formal, directed, and oratorical in nature, specifically pertaining to a public address or a declamatory speech. It is used to characterize language that is intentionally designed to be heard by an audience for the purpose of instruction or inspiration.
adloctude
C1フォーマルで直接的な話し方のこと。親しみやすさを保ちつつも、威厳を感じさせるような態度を指すよ。
admonish
C1To firmly warn or reprimand someone for their behavior, or to advise someone earnestly to do or avoid something. It often implies a sense of moral guidance or authoritative concern rather than just anger.
adpassant
C1To mention or address a secondary topic briefly and incidentally while focused on a primary task or discussion. It describes an action that occurs seamlessly 'in passing' without disrupting the main narrative or workflow.
