barely noticeable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely noticeable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is discernible but in a very small or minor degree. For example: “The breeze was barely noticeable.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's subtle; barely noticeable, really.

The New York Times - Arts

It was barely noticeable on the mat.

The New York Times - Sports

The 3-D is barely noticeable.

The New York Times

Maybe it would be barely noticeable.

The New York Times

I found the movements barely noticeable.

The New York Times

It was barely noticeable, I told myself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fibers cut that short are barely noticeable.

The New York Times - Food

However, this phenomenon was barely noticeable in our experiments.

The Journal of Supercritical Fluids

Now, Pearce walks independently with a barely noticeable hitch.

The New York Times - Sports

The transition from one to the other was barely noticeable.

The Economist

Adam Baker was, like his name, barely noticeable.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely noticeable" to describe subtle changes or features that might easily be missed. For instance, "The difference in taste was barely noticeable."

Common error

Avoid using "barely noticeable" when something is clearly obvious. This diminishes the impact and suggests a lack of attention to detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely noticeable" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun, describing the degree to which something is perceived or observed. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

22%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely noticeable" is a grammatically sound and versatile adjectival phrase used to describe something that is only just discernible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and usable in written English. With a 'Very common' frequency, it appears across diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing. It's helpful for expressing subtlety or minimizing the impact of a feature. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to avoid using "barely noticeable" when the described element is evidently significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly perceptible

Emphasizes the difficulty in perceiving something, similar to "barely noticeable" but focuses on the act of perceiving.

faintly visible

Specifically refers to visual perception, indicating something is only weakly visible, a subset of "barely noticeable".

slightly detectable

Focuses on the ability to detect something, suggesting the presence is minimal. "Barely noticeable" has a broader scope.

scarcely discernible

Highlights the difficulty in distinguishing something from its background or surroundings, similar to "barely noticeable" in its subtlety.

almost imperceptible

Indicates something is so subtle that it is nearly impossible to perceive, a more extreme form of "barely noticeable".

negligibly apparent

Emphasizes the insignificance or lack of importance of something that is barely apparent, adding a layer of consequence to the phrase.

subtly evident

Highlights the subtle nature of the evidence, suggesting a delicate or understated presence.

only just visible

Reiterates the marginal visibility of something, placing a strong emphasis on the visual aspect.

minimally detectable

Focuses on the minimal level at which something can be detected, highlighting the limited capacity to sense it.

scarcely detectable

Indicates that something is detected with great difficulty and at a minimal level of intensity.

FAQs

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

Use "barely noticeable" to describe something that is present but not easily observed or detected. For example, "The tremor was "barely noticeable"."

What are some alternatives to "barely noticeable"?

You can use alternatives like "hardly perceptible", "faintly visible", or "slightly detectable" depending on the context.

Is "barely noticeable" grammatically correct?

Yes, "barely noticeable" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both written and spoken English. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

What's the difference between "barely noticeable" and "hardly noticeable"?

Both phrases are very similar. "Barely noticeable" suggests something is present but only just discernible, while "hardly noticeable" implies it is difficult to notice. The difference is subtle, and they are often interchangeable.