capable of being heard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of being heard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that can be perceived by the sense of hearing, often in contexts related to sound or audio. Example: "The whispers in the room were barely capable of being heard over the loud music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Bayard Rustin, one of the primary organizers, insisted on a system capable of being heard throughout the Mall, and he was willing to pay as much as twenty-thousand dollars for it (sound systems at comparable events cost a tenth of that).

The New Yorker

So, following Diaz (p. 15), we can ask whether the kinds of "independent voices and diverse viewpoints" that are essential for a democracy are capable of being "heard through the filter of search engines".

SEP

"And while many children don't always have strong voices, just looking at the delegates here today I see that your voices are strong enough and capable of being heard".

Unicef

The easy answer as to why a suicide note should not substitute for a living will is that any will, whether intended to take effect before or after death, serves as an instrument of human action, enforceable by the courts, when the actor is not capable of being heard.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This is a young man who is capable of being redeemed," Coombs said at the sentencing hearing.

The New Yorker

We are capable of being that".

Los Angeles Times

As the video of Ava shows, deaf children are capable of everything a hearing child is capable of, if they are just given the chance.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He has fundamentally sound judgment, he's a great leader and he's capable of listening and hearing things that are not the way he wished.

The New York Times

Anyway, you can hear what they're capable of on Spotify, hear what the fuss is about, find out what made Prince - who showed up to a gig of theirs in LA - go crazy (he also loves Quadron: Prince - he's the go-to guy for marketable quotes on new R&B bands).

The Guardian - Music

Elephants are capable of hearing at low frequencies and are most sensitive at 1 kHz.

Wikipedia

In the morning I'm capable of hearing the music of the spheres — it's when the stars come out that I first hear the howling of eternal nothingness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the importance of audibility in a specific environment, use "capable of being heard" to underscore the technical or logistical considerations necessary for sound to reach an audience effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "capable of being heard" when a simpler word like "audible" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of being heard" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its audibility or potential to be heard. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "capable of being heard" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes something's audibility, often emphasizing its designed or potential ability to be heard. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is relatively rare and is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Simpler alternatives like "audible" may be more appropriate in less formal settings. When it's important to emphasize the ability of a sound to reach an audience, "capable of being heard" is a useful and precise choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Audible

A single word alternative that directly refers to the ability to be heard.

Within earshot

Indicates that something is close enough to be heard.

Able to be perceived aurally

A more technical way of expressing the ability to be heard through the sense of hearing.

Reachable by sound

Focuses on the sound's capacity to arrive and be heard.

Detectible by ear

Highlights the detection of a sound by the ear.

Clear enough to hear

Emphasizes the clarity of the sound for being heard.

Loud enough to be heard

Emphasizes the volume as a condition for audibility.

Perceptible to the ear

Highlights the ear's capacity to perceive sound.

Within hearing range

Indicates that a sound is within the limits of what can be heard.

Intelligible

Refers to being understood, which often relies on being heard clearly.

FAQs

What does "capable of being heard" mean?

The phrase "capable of being heard" describes something that has the potential or ability to be perceived by the sense of hearing, meaning it produces sound that can reach someone's ears.

How can I use "capable of being heard" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the properties of a sound system or a person's voice. For example, "The sound system was designed to ensure the speaker's voice was "capable of being heard" throughout the entire auditorium".

What are some alternatives to "capable of being heard"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "audible", "within earshot", or "perceptible".

Is it better to say "audible" or "capable of being heard"?

While both are correct, "audible" is often more concise and suitable for general use. "Capable of being heard" is useful when you want to emphasize the potential or designed ability to be heard, especially in technical contexts.