all subtle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all subtle" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that is entirely subtle, but the phrasing is awkward and lacks clarity. Example: "The nuances in her argument were all subtle, making it difficult to grasp her main point."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"They're all subtle things," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Wall color is not at all subtle," Whelan said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some of their football was exquisite, all subtle if constant movement and accurate delivery.

The Guardian - Sport

The cinnamon ones are outstanding, ditto the strawberry/basil and chocolate rosemary, all subtle yet intensely flavored, never gumming up their airy delectability.

The New York Times

It is too unconsidered, for all its ambitious expressiveness, to remotely resemble Ms. Mann's photos, which were, after all, subtle, complex works of art.

The New York Times

The things I heard him say at events were not at all subtle, and there wasn't any attempt to be inclusive.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Hence "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," the "justice" being a not-at-all subtle nod to DC's Justice League, the superhero team that consists of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg.

Los Angeles Times

If not, then go see Beatriz at Dinner, a not-at-all subtle film about capitalists and the people's lives they destroy in the pursuit of wealth and real estate.

Vice

The work is a not-at-all-subtle allegory that portrays Hitler and the Nazis as insane.

The New York Times

That last line a not-at-all-subtle dig at Kapoor's claim on the Vantablack.

Vice

"I cannot distinguish all the subtle differences in the vocalizations," he writes, "but somehow the subtle meaning is conveyed to me".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "all subtle", consider using more precise alternatives such as "entirely subtle", "completely subtle", or "surprisingly subtle" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "all" directly before adjectives like "subtle". This construction is often grammatically awkward and can confuse your reader. Rephrase for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all subtle" functions as a modifier, attempting to describe a quality or characteristic. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is not grammatically sound, so it's rarely used in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all subtle" is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI, although it appears in a variety of sources, including news and media. It attempts to emphasize the degree of subtlety, but clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "entirely subtle" or "completely subtle" are recommended. Usage patterns show it appearing most frequently in news and media contexts, but its overall infrequency and grammatical awkwardness suggest avoiding it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely subtle

Emphasizes that something is subtle in every aspect.

completely subtle

Similar to 'entirely subtle', but with a stronger emphasis on completeness.

surprisingly subtle

Indicates that something is more subtle than expected.

remarkably subtle

Highlights the exceptional subtlety of something.

incredibly subtle

Emphasizes the high degree of subtlety.

mostly subtle

Suggests that subtlety is the predominant characteristic, though not exclusive.

generally subtle

Similar to 'mostly subtle', indicating a general tendency towards subtlety.

overall subtle

Indicates that the overall impression is one of subtlety.

subtle nuances

Focuses on the subtle aspects or details of something.

subtle variations

Highlights the presence of subtle differences or changes.

FAQs

What does "all subtle" mean?

The phrase "all subtle" is not grammatically correct and may be interpreted as "entirely subtle" or "completely subtle", depending on the context. However, it's best to use a clearer phrasing.

What can I say instead of "all subtle"?

You can use alternatives like "entirely subtle", "completely subtle", or "surprisingly subtle" depending on the context you want to express.

Is "all subtle" grammatically correct?

No, "all subtle" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "entirely subtle" or "completely subtle".

How to use "entirely subtle" in a sentence?

You can say, "The changes were "entirely subtle", making them difficult to detect" to express that changes are difficult to identify. Similarly, you can use "completely subtle" to suggest something is entirely and unexpectedly nuanced.