barely evident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely evident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is only slightly noticeable or apparent. Example: "The changes in the landscape were barely evident after the recent renovations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

His literary self-consciousness, barely evident in No Telling, has vanished.

The Guardian - Books

Rum was barely evident in the savarin described as "rum-soaked".

The New York Times - Food

This aspect of psychological mystery is barely evident in Mr. Nichols's production.

The New York Times

Nobody disputes the fact that today's teenagers face challenges barely evident in previous generations.

The Guardian

By this time the original design was a generation old, and yet the building was barely evident.

The New York Times

Tiny fish silhouettes excised in the bags are barely evident except as gaps in the orange shadows cast on the floor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Once you get used to some fairly thick Aussie accents, it's easy to admire the wild growing pains and barely repressed rage evident in Philpott's script.

Huffington Post

Bioactivity, even if barely detectable, is evident even for the proteolytic fragment of recombinant human ChM-I (rhChM-I), which lacks most of domain 1. (11) Hence, domain 2 plays a crucial role in the anti-angiogenic activities of ChM-I.

Cancer Science

The undertow of barely suppressed concern was evident at a pre-kickoff press conference in the bowels of the Stade de France that began with the official mascot, Super Victor, cavorting with the DJ David Guetta, who will appear at the opening ceremony, but ended with a slew of questions on security and strikes.

The Guardian - Sport

All leadership elections disappear into a cognitive poker basement, all smoke and no natural light, where qualities and assumptions become self-evident and barely worth stating, and the heightened atmosphere makes bizarre behaviour seem normal.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his early roles, a sense of barely suppressed rage is always evident.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely evident" to describe subtle changes or features that are difficult to detect, ensuring the context clarifies what makes them hard to notice.

Common error

Avoid using "barely evident" to describe something that is, in fact, quite obvious. This can undermine your credibility and confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely evident" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality of something being only slightly noticeable or apparent. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely evident" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase that describes something as only slightly noticeable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, with a slight leaning towards more formal writing like news reporting and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, consider similar options like "scarcely noticeable" or "hardly perceptible" to provide further nuance to your writing. Ensure the phrase aligns with the degree of visibility you intend to express, avoiding its use for things that are plainly obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely noticeable

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing something.

hardly perceptible

Focuses on the minimal level of perception.

faintly visible

Specifically refers to something that can barely be seen.

slightly apparent

Highlights the minimal degree of being apparent.

tenuously clear

Suggests the clarity is weak and fragile.

subtly manifest

Implies a delicate or understated manifestation.

almost imperceptible

Indicates something is on the verge of not being perceived.

just discernible

Emphasizes the act of being able to distinguish something, albeit barely.

minimally detectable

Focuses on the lower limit of detection.

barely distinguishable

Highlights the difficulty in telling something apart from something else.

FAQs

How can I use "barely evident" in a sentence?

Use "barely evident" to describe something that is only slightly noticeable or apparent. For example, "The signs of wear and tear were "barely evident" after the meticulous cleaning."

What are some alternatives to "barely evident"?

You can use alternatives such as "scarcely noticeable", "hardly perceptible", or "faintly visible" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "barely evident" in formal writing?

Yes, "barely evident" is suitable for formal writing, as it's grammatically correct and widely used in reputable sources. However, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of visibility you intend to describe.

What is the difference between "barely evident" and "not evident"?

"Barely evident" implies that something is present but difficult to detect, whereas "not evident" suggests that something is completely absent or unnoticeable.