could perceive that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could perceive that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's ability to notice or understand something, often in a context of observation or insight. Example: "As she walked through the gallery, she could perceive that the artist's emotions were deeply embedded in each piece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"It's fine," he said, because he could perceive that I could perceive that he was distressed.

The New Yorker

I could perceive that she was a very poor woman.

The New Yorker

I could perceive that this made the hero appeased.

The New Yorker

When we unclosed the door to the hero's room, I could perceive that he was distressed.

The New Yorker

As I walked more proximal, I could perceive that it was a woman roosting on the steps.

The New Yorker

Shown a photograph of a face, she could perceive that the person was wearing glasses, nothing else.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

If David Thomson and others could not perceive that back then, it was not the fault of muddy editing, Mr. Coppola's unrealized vision or too much machismo.

The New York Times

Some of Mr. Hevesi's opponents described them as a desperate grasp of a campaign in trouble, and even Democrats partial to Mr. Hevesi acknowledged that voters could perceive it that way, fairly or not.

The New York Times

Blind males could perceive light that regulates this switch in various ways.

Plosone

Although all force vectors were defined by abstract numbers with no precise correlation to actual physical material properties, a macro-level behaviour could be perceived that was similar to that found in the physical models.

Visualization in Engineering

There are lots of interesting things that you could perceive doing with geo around that would.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could perceive that" when you want to emphasize the ability to understand or notice something, often implying a degree of insight or sensitivity. For example, "Looking at the data, one could perceive that a trend was emerging."

Common error

Avoid using "could perceive that" when a simpler verb like "saw" or "noticed" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious. For example, instead of saying "I could perceive that it was raining", say "I saw that it was raining".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could perceive that" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability to notice, understand, or become aware of something. Ludwig AI suggests it conveys a sense of insight or discernment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could perceive that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the ability to notice or understand something, often with a hint of insight. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English. While not exceptionally frequent, it finds common ground in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, aim for precision: is it a simple observation, or is there a deeper understanding at play? Overuse may lead to sounding overly formal, so consider alternatives like "could sense that" or "noticed that" for simpler scenarios. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and applicable across diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was able to discern that

Emphasizes the ability to distinguish or recognize something, highlighting clarity.

managed to gather that

Highlights the effort or process involved in collecting information or understanding something.

was in a position to understand that

Focuses on having the necessary knowledge or perspective to comprehend something.

could sense that

Implies an intuitive or emotional understanding, rather than a purely intellectual one.

could recognize that

Stresses the act of identifying or acknowledging something.

became aware that

Focuses on the gradual realization or understanding of something.

realized that

Emphasizes the sudden understanding or grasping of something.

noticed that

Highlights the act of observing or paying attention to something.

ascertained that

Implies a careful and deliberate effort to discover or establish something.

determined that

Suggests a conclusive finding or decision based on evidence or reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "could perceive that" in a sentence?

The phrase "could perceive that" indicates the ability to notice or understand something. For instance: "From her expression, I "could perceive that" she was disappointed".

What are some alternatives to "could perceive that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could sense that", "was able to discern that", or simply "noticed that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "could perceive that" and "could see that"?

"Could perceive that" often implies a deeper understanding or insight, while "could see that" usually refers to a more direct observation. You "could perceive that" someone is upset even if they don't show it overtly, whereas you could see that it's raining by looking out the window.

When is it appropriate to use "could perceive that" in writing?

Use "could perceive that" when you want to emphasize a level of insight or understanding beyond simple observation. It's appropriate in contexts where you're describing someone's ability to interpret subtle cues or understand complex situations.