are conspicuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are conspicuous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is easily seen or noticed, often due to its prominence or distinctiveness. Example: "The bright colors of the flowers are conspicuous against the green foliage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Economic failures are conspicuous in both capitals.

The New Yorker

Two men are conspicuous by their absence.

The New Yorker

Myth #1: Africans are conspicuous consumers.

Harvard Business Review

It forms in strata that are conspicuous.

University of California, Berkeley

Aid agencies are conspicuous by their absence.

The Guardian

They are conspicuous by their absence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Two reasons are conspicuous by their absence.

The New York Times

There are conspicuous trouble spots, to be sure.

The New York Times - Magazine

Updates of "Hallelujah" are conspicuous by their absence.

The Guardian - Music

Termite mounds are conspicuous features in many tropical ecosystems.

Applied Soil Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Women, frankly, are conspicuous by their absence: they're there as dates, interns, or bitch-girlfriend figures.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are conspicuous" when you want to emphasize that something is easily noticeable or attracts attention, whether positively or negatively. For more formal writing, consider whether a more precise synonym might better convey the specific reason for the visibility.

Common error

While "are conspicuous" is valid, avoid overusing it in very informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "are noticeable" or "stand out" might be more appropriate for casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are conspicuous" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase within a sentence. It typically modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that the subject is easily noticeable or stands out in some way. Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is correct and applicable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

36%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are conspicuous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that signifies something is easily noticeable or attracts attention. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Analysis of usage patterns indicates its common occurrence across news, scientific, and academic sources. Related phrases include "are easily noticed" and "are readily apparent", offering stylistic alternatives. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly informal contexts where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. It is mostly used in formal/neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are easily noticed

Emphasizes the ease with which something is observed.

are readily apparent

Highlights the obvious nature of something.

are clearly visible

Focuses on the visual aspect of being noticeable.

are strikingly evident

Stresses the impact and clarity of something being obvious.

are prominently displayed

Indicates that something is shown in a way that attracts attention.

stand out noticeably

Highlights the act of differing and attracting attention.

are remarkably observable

Focuses on the quality of being worthy of attention.

are distinctly marked

Suggests a clear and identifiable characteristic.

are overtly manifested

Emphasizes the open and clear appearance of something.

are blatantly obvious

Highlights something being unmistakably and offensively clear.

FAQs

How to use "are conspicuous" in a sentence?

"Are conspicuous" is used to describe something that is easily seen or noticed. For example, "The bright colors of the flowers "are conspicuous" against the green foliage."

What can I say instead of "are conspicuous"?

You can use alternatives like "are easily noticed", "are readily apparent", or "are clearly visible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are conspicuous" or "is conspicuous"?

"Are conspicuous" is used with plural nouns or subjects, while "is conspicuous" is used with singular nouns or subjects. For example, "The errors "are conspicuous"," but "The error is "is conspicuous"."

What's the difference between "are conspicuous" and "are noticeable"?

While both indicate something is easy to see, "are conspicuous" often implies a greater degree of prominence or distinctiveness than "are noticeable". Something that is conspicuous is very likely to attract attention.