can differ imperceptibly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can differ imperceptibly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe subtle variations that are not easily noticeable. Example: "The colors of the two paintings can differ imperceptibly, making it hard to tell them apart at first glance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Reasonable people can differ.

The New York Times

Reasonable minds can differ.

The New York Times

But the allocations can differ".

The New York Times

But reasonable people can differ.

The New York Times

"Reasonable people can differ," he said.

The New York Times

"Reasonable people can differ," Mr. Anemone said.

The New York Times

Parenting styles can clash; values can differ.

The Washington Post

And even then opinions can differ".

The New York Times

Opera buffs can differ about his work.

The New York Times - Arts

Temperatures can differ widely depending on location.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reasonable minds can differ on this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "can differ imperceptibly" when you want to emphasize that variations or changes are so slight that they are hard to notice or measure.

Common error

Avoid using "can differ imperceptibly" in situations where the difference is clearly noticeable. Reserve it for scenarios where the subtlety is a key aspect of the observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can differ imperceptibly" functions as a descriptive modifier, highlighting a subtle distinction. It indicates a potential for variation that is so minute as to be barely noticeable. Ludwig does not give direct feedback.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can differ imperceptibly" describes minute variations that are difficult to perceive. Ludwig provides no direct feedback. The phrase functions as a descriptive modifier, often used in scientific or formal contexts to convey a sense of near-sameness while acknowledging the existence of subtle differences. While grammatically correct, its frequency is low. Alternatives include "vary slightly" or "be almost indistinguishable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be barely perceptible

Directly addresses the low level of perceptibility.

be almost indistinguishable

Focuses on the near impossibility of telling the difference.

differ minutely

Highlights the extremely small degree of difference.

vary slightly

Focuses on the idea of small variations, omitting the perception aspect.

have subtle variations

Highlights the presence of variations that are not immediately obvious.

vary by a hair's breadth

Uses a more figurative expression to highlight the subtle difference.

change subtly

Emphasizes the gradual change rather than the difficulty in noticing it.

differ to a small degree

Uses a more descriptive and less technical way to express the small difference.

show negligible differences

Indicates that the differences are so small they are not worth considering.

diverge insignificantly

Implies a deviation that is too small to be important.

FAQs

How can I use "can differ imperceptibly" in a sentence?

This phrase indicates very slight differences. For example, "The two shades of blue can differ imperceptibly, making it difficult to choose between them."

What does "can differ imperceptibly" mean?

It means that two or more things have differences that are so subtle they are almost impossible to detect.

Which is correct: "can differ imperceptibly" or "can differ slightly"?

Both are correct, but "can differ slightly" indicates a difference that is small but noticeable, while "can differ imperceptibly" suggests the difference is barely detectable.

What are some alternatives to "can differ imperceptibly"?

You can use alternatives like "vary slightly", "change subtly", or "be almost indistinguishable" depending on the nuance you want to convey.