discernable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "discernable" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is capable of being noticed or understood. For example, "The differences between the two products were quite discernable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some have studied a range of states, including California, only to find that the primary format has no discernable effect on candidates.

The Economist

The bottom line is that the author is condemning conservationists, but pointing the proverbial finger at the taxonomists the entire time, for no discernable reason.

The Economist

This restraint is discernable in the fact that, in its recent term, the Supreme Court overturned no fewer than 27 decisions made by the activist appeals court in San Francisco.

The Economist

But all of this happened as sedately as ever.Related items Sumo wrestling: Weighty mattersOct 9th 2008 Japan's slowing economy: Unbouncy AsoOct 2nd 2008 Mergers and acquisitions: The Japanese are coming (again Oct 2nd 2008Many of The Economist's diaries relate some dashing adventure; reporting from Tokyo, by contrast, features long stretches in which nothing discernable actually happens.

The Economist

In inner-London boroughs such as Tower Hamlets and Newham there is a discernable "double hump" of fertility, says Baljit Bains, a demographer at the Greater London Authority.

The Economist

It is also discernable in the court's most emotive recent judgment, on assisted suicide.

The Economist

On issues where the harm is discernable and logical responses are readily available, public anger can drive change.When it comes to climate change, however, Mr Busby is rightly sceptical of the angry approach: "Even if this movement were successful, it might get attached to policies that ultimately prove unworkable.

The Economist

Typically lasting about an hour, sometimes longer, the mass is generally divided into two parts, the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist, but in reality five distinct phases are discernable: the introductory rites, the liturgy of the Word, the liturgy of the Eucharist, the communion rite, and the concluding rite.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is primarily a spring and summer current and is barely discernable in winter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But on the Richter scale of sibling embarrassments, this one is a barely discernable tremor.

Independent

Val Thorens, which turned 40 this month, may be the highest resort in the Alps, and it does offer excellent and usually snow-sure terrain, but is a rather anodyne place, more matt than glossy, with a hard-to-pronounce name (it's somewhere between "Torons" and "Torance") and no discernable image.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discernable", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being perceived or understood. For example, specify "discernable differences" or "discernable patterns".

Common error

Avoid using "discernable" without specifying what is being discerned. Saying something is "discernable" without indicating what the observer is meant to notice can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "discernable" functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something capable of being perceived or understood. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "discernable" describes something capable of being noticed or understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, especially in news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. This word indicates the presence of something noticeable through careful observation or analysis. While alternatives like "perceptible", "detectable", and "noticeable" exist, "discernable" holds its own, offering a nuanced way to express clarity and visibility. Remember to specify what is being discerned to avoid vagueness in your writing. With a strong presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "discernable" is a reliable choice for expressing clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perceptible

Emphasizes the capability of being noticed through the senses.

detectable

Highlights the ability to be discovered or identified, often implying a deliberate search.

observable

Focuses on the capacity to be seen or noticed, often in a scientific or objective context.

noticeable

Stresses the ease with which something can be observed or detected.

apparent

Indicates that something is easily seen or understood, often implying a lack of hidden qualities.

visible

Focuses specifically on the ability to be seen with the eyes.

identifiable

Emphasizes the capability to be recognized or distinguished from others.

recognizable

Highlights the ability to be identified due to prior knowledge or familiarity.

distinguishable

Stresses the capacity to be told apart from other things.

evident

Indicates that something is clearly seen or understood, often implying proof or certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "discernable" in a sentence?

You can use "discernable" to describe something that is capable of being noticed or understood, like "There was a "discernable difference" in quality between the two products".

What are some alternatives to "discernable"?

Alternatives include "perceptible", "detectable", or "noticeable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "discernable" and "discernible"?

"Discernable" and "discernible" are alternative spellings of the same word. Both are acceptable, but "discernible" is the more common spelling.

What does it mean for something to be "discernable"?

If something is "discernable", it means that it is capable of being perceived or understood. It suggests that something can be recognized or distinguished through careful observation or analysis.