hardly noticeable

USAGE SUMMARY

"hardly noticeable" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not easily seen or detected. It can also be used figuratively to describe something that is not easily perceived or understood. Example: The small crack on the wall was hardly noticeable, but it grew bigger over time. Example: She spoke in a whisper, her voice hardly noticeable in the crowded room.

✓ Grammatically correct

Describes something difficult to perceive

Indicates a minimal impact or effect

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Notice the colour change over the grape as well as the hardly noticeable veins.

Stanford University

The tannins are hardly noticeable.

The New York Times

Microsoft says Google's efforts are hardly noticeable.

The New York Times - Tech

Their breathing may even be subdued and hardly noticeable.

The Guardian

Further increase in power leads to hardly noticeable increase in speed.

Ocean Engineering

However, the influence on the temperature and mole fraction profiles was hardly noticeable.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

The rest of the anions showed hardly noticeable effects on the removal efficiency.

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Very little additional area is needed so that the overhead is hardly noticeable.

Integration, the VLSI Journal

Even his Star in the Hood T-shirt logo is hardly noticeable under his jacket.

Independent

This adds a bit more weight to the headset, but it's hardly noticeable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She paired the skin-tight dress with black t-strap heels but no other accessories, leaving all eyes to fall on her hardly-noticeable baby bump.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly noticeable" to downplay the significance of a change or difference, especially when you want to reassure the reader that something is not a major concern.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly noticeable" when describing something that is clearly obvious or significant. This can undermine your credibility and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly noticeable" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a quality of being difficult to perceive. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing something not easily seen or detected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly noticeable" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something difficult to perceive or of minimal significance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing, suggesting a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its intended meaning to avoid misrepresentation. Related phrases such as "barely perceptible" or "almost imperceptible" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Barely perceptible

Emphasizes the minimal degree to which something can be detected by the senses.

Almost imperceptible

Highlights the near impossibility of noticing something.

Scarcely detectable

Focuses on the difficulty in identifying or detecting something.

Faint

Suggests a weak or indistinct quality that makes something difficult to notice.

Subtle

Indicates that something is understated and not immediately obvious.

Marginal

Implies that the effect or difference is so small that it is almost insignificant.

Negligible

Denotes something so small or unimportant that it can be disregarded.

Virtually invisible

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty in seeing something.

Slight

Suggests something small in degree or extent.

Inconspicuous

Indicates that something does not attract attention or is not easily seen.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly noticeable" in a sentence?

You can use "hardly noticeable" to describe something that is difficult to see, hear, or detect. For example: "The difference in taste was "hardly noticeable"".

What are some alternatives to saying "hardly noticeable"?

Alternatives include "barely perceptible", "almost imperceptible", or "scarcely detectable" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "hardly noticeable"?

Yes, if you use "hardly noticeable" to describe something that is very obvious or significant, the phrase becomes inaccurate and misleading.

What's the difference between "hardly noticeable" and "inconspicuous"?

"Hardly noticeable" emphasizes the difficulty in perceiving something, while "inconspicuous" focuses on the lack of attracting attention. Something can be inconspicuous because of its location or behavior, not just because it's difficult to see.