conspicuous to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conspicuous to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing something that is easily noticed or noticed by a particular group of people. For example, "The graffiti artwork was conspicuous to passersby."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Exaggerated visual ornaments may make males more conspicuous to females, while also increasing their conspicuousness to eavesdropping predators [1], [5] [7].

Plosone

However, as the years have passed, the warts of medicine have grown more conspicuous to me.

The New York Times

Traditionalist reaction remains an ingredient in national elections, too conspicuous to dismiss.

The New York Times

This course for writers will look at a wide range of prose styles, from conspicuous to subtle ones.

Columbia University

Mating calls make males more conspicuous to predators if they have evolved to eavesdrop on the sounds.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, solid tissues such as transplanted hearts, lungs and kidneys are more conspicuous to the immune system than blood is.

The Economist

Cheating is hard because consulting a dictionary or an anagram-solving website would be rather conspicuous to the other players.

The Economist

Unlike most other octopuses, the mimic will sometimes choose to make itself more conspicuous to potential predators, rather than less.

The New York Times - Science

But today it said Kaiser-Hill included the costs "in general subcontractor billings that were not conspicuous to D.O.E".

The New York Times

One often discussed reason for motorcyclists' high risk of accidents is that they are less conspicuous to other road users than are other motorised vehicles.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

For example, when we wear a Rolex watch, drive a BMW vehicle, carry a Louis Vuitton bag, or talk on an iPhone, our consumption is conspicuous to others.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the clarity of your writing with the phrase "conspicuous to", precisely specify who or what is perceiving the conspicuous object or feature. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the connection between the subject and its perceiver.

Common error

Avoid assuming that what is "conspicuous to" one observer is universally so. Perceptibility varies with context, knowledge, and sensory capabilities. Always consider the specific viewpoint you are highlighting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conspicuous to" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something is easily noticeable or apparent from a particular viewpoint or to a specific observer. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in diverse contexts ranging from animal behavior to financial oversight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

53%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conspicuous to" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies something being easily noticeable or visible from a specific viewpoint. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, including science, news media, and academia. Its primary function is to emphasize the visibility or noteworthiness of something to a particular observer. When using this phrase, it's essential to define clearly who or what is doing the observing to avoid ambiguity. While its semantic field includes synonyms like "evident to" and "noticeable to", the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. The frequent presence of "conspicuous to" in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its reliability and broad applicability in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visible to

Emphasizes the capability of being seen, which is a direct aspect of being conspicuous.

apparent to

Indicates something is easily perceived or understood, similar to 'evident' but with a slightly broader scope.

evident to

Highlights the clarity and ease with which something can be seen or understood.

obvious to

Highlights the lack of subtlety in being noticed, indicating immediate recognizability.

easily seen by

Focuses on the simplicity of the act of seeing, reducing the emphasis on inherent conspicuousness.

readily apparent to

Combines ease of perception with immediacy, suggesting quick understanding and visibility.

noticeable by

Focuses on the act of being noticed, differing slightly in emphasis from being inherently conspicuous.

unmistakable to

Focuses on the clarity and certainty of being seen or recognized, reducing any chance of misinterpretation.

plain to see for

Emphasizes the ease of observation, making it very clear and accessible to observers.

in full view of

Stresses the visibility by being directly within someone's line of sight.

FAQs

How can I use "conspicuous to" in a sentence?

You can use "conspicuous to" to describe something easily noticeable to a specific observer. For example, "The error was "conspicuous to" experienced editors but not to novice writers."

What are some alternatives to "conspicuous to"?

Alternatives include "evident to", "noticeable to", or "visible to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "conspicuous for" the same as "conspicuous to"?

No, "conspicuous for" means remarkable or noteworthy because of a particular quality, while "conspicuous to" means easily visible or noticeable to someone or something. The prepositions change the meaning.

How does context affect the use of "conspicuous to"?

Context determines who or what the subject needs to be noticeable to. For instance, bright colors might be "conspicuous to" potential mates but also to predators.