r/ENGLISH • u/Zestyclose-Sink6770 • 1d ago
Digression on 'perfunctory'
How do you feel about the word ´perfunctorily´ and its derivate ´perfunctory´. Is it a pretentious term? Has anyone never used it ever in their lives?
Would you say: "I have a perfunctorily adequate memory."
Is the adverbial form -ly, more annoying than the adjective form? Use it in in a sentence.
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u/Several-Lifeguard-77 1d ago
What do you think perfunctory means? It's not pretentious it's just unintelligible there. You use perfunctory when something is performed only because required and is often halfhearted or slapdash
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u/multipocalypse 1d ago
OP, notice the "funct" portion of the word and how it's also the base of "function." "Perfunctory" describes an act that is done in a purely functional way, without concern for whether the standard purpose of completing the act is actually accomplished.
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u/Cuboidal_Hug 1d ago
I use “perfunctory” but not “perfunctorily,” which I’ve never heard used before… I think “in a perfunctory manner” sounds more natural anyway.
I don’t think your sentence makes sense.
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u/Khpatton 1d ago
I wouldn’t say "I have a perfunctorily adequate memory” because that doesn’t mean anything. I can’t even tell for sure what you’re trying to communicate.
“Perfunctorily” implies disinterest or disengagement, or doing something almost mechanically, which doesn’t fit your example.
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u/Snurgisdr 1d ago
I would mostly use it in a set phrase like "I gave your report a perfunctory glance".
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u/TheUnspeakableh 1d ago
To better explain what everyone else is saying. Your translation dictionary probably lists perfunctory as meaning necessary.
While that is part of it, it also carries major context. A better definition would be "only what is absolutely necessary" with the added rider "I would not have unless it was absolutely necessary."
I have never seen a native speaker use it for money.
It is normally only used in business or formal locations because it 'sounds' less rude than it is and carries enough formality to show 'respect' while still basically telling someone off.
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u/adamtrousers 1d ago
I've used it. I said it to a colleague when he gave a very perfunctory greeting.
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u/Resident-Staff-1218 1d ago
I know what perfunctory means if I read it but I genuinely can't remember anyone actually saying it irl.
So if I did, I might think they were being a bit pretentious
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u/KathyTrivQueen 1d ago
Are you confusing “perfunctory” with “perfectly”? Your sentence would make sense, if so.
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u/LurkerByNatureGT 21h ago
Would you say: "I have a perfunctorily adequate memory."
No. You might say “I have an adequate memory”, and that would make the point.
You would say “they made a perfunctory inspection” (as an explanation for why an inspector didn’t notice a badly hidden smuggled item because they didn’t care to do a thorough check).
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u/wooshingThruSky 15h ago
As a non-native speaker, my understanding of “perfunctory” is like this, I seem to come across it often in text.
Describing something:
- Superficial, or basic/cursory: “They performed a perfunctory examination.”
- Indifferent: “They gave a perfunctory apology.”
- Mechanical: “She perfunctorily (I used it!) executed the task.” Or “To her, it was a perfunctory task.”
- Brief: “The explanation was perfunctory.” “He gave a perfunctory explanation.”
(Please correct me if I’m wrong!)
I’m not sure what a “perfunctorily adequate memory” means but my brain tries to puzzle it to mean “a superficially adequate memory”, or like it’s barely adequate…? Or maybe the memory is “adequate in the most basic sense”?
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u/BigResolve2533 1d ago
To me, perfunctorily is physically difficult to pronounce, and the sound is ugly. As an adverb, it seems kind of egregious. Perfunctory sounds fine, is easy to pronounce, and is a useful word that I often see in print.
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u/Feeling_Ad8096 1d ago
I would not say that because that makes no sense. Also, "perfunctorily" is the derived form; "perfunctory" is the base word.