hardly visible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly visible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to see or barely noticeable. Example: "The stars were hardly visible due to the bright city lights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The machine itself was hardly visible.

The New York Times

We are intensely private at home, hardly visible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The drug effect was fading fast; Agincourt was hardly visible now.

The New Yorker

The top floor has elaborate, beautiful skylights, but they are hardly visible from outside.

The New Yorker

So dense are the masses of the sweet-scented flowers that foliage is hardly visible.

The Guardian

In the Irish case Polish migrants were hardly visible in 2002.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not so long ago, it was so blackened by pollution that it was hardly visible.

The Guardian

In the backstretch, el-Guerrouj was hardly visible, except for the flash of his spikes.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, the city's true poor are hardly visible, and the middle classes squeezed ever more efficiently out of sight.

The New Yorker

A small scar below her bellybutton, hardly visible, is the only mark the doctors will leave behind.

The Guardian

The white water is hardly visible as each wave creates a rolling wall that swallows everything in its path.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing visual clarity, consider the context. "Hardly visible" implies something is there but difficult to see, not necessarily absent. Choose synonyms carefully to match the intended degree of visibility.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "hardly visible" can make writing sound repetitive. Substitute with alternatives like "faintly discernible" or "scarcely perceptible", especially in formal or scientific contexts to enhance precision and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly visible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its visual appearance or detectability. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage, indicating its common role in descriptive language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly visible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that describes something difficult to see. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides ample examples across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, mindful use and substitution with synonyms like "faintly discernible" can enhance writing quality. Its neutral register and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for conveying a sense of something being barely perceptible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely perceptible

Indicates something is almost impossible to perceive; emphasizes the subtlety.

faintly discernible

Suggests something can just barely be distinguished; highlights the effort needed to notice it.

barely noticeable

Emphasizes the minimal impact or presence of something.

virtually imperceptible

Highlights the near impossibility of perceiving something.

almost undetectable

Stresses the difficulty in identifying or sensing something.

indistinct

Implies a lack of clarity or definition, making something hard to see.

dimly visible

Suggests something can be seen, but only with difficulty due to poor lighting or obscurity.

fading from view

Indicates something is gradually disappearing or becoming less visible.

shadowy

Suggests something is obscured by shadows and therefore difficult to see clearly.

blurred

Emphasizes the lack of sharp focus, making something difficult to distinguish.

FAQs

What does "hardly visible" mean?

The phrase "hardly visible" means something is difficult to see or barely noticeable. It suggests that an object or feature is present but not easily observed.

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

You can use "hardly visible" to describe anything that is difficult to see. For example: "The scar was "hardly visible" after the surgery" or "The stars were "hardly visible" through the fog".

What are some synonyms for "hardly visible"?

Alternatives to "hardly visible" include "barely visible", "scarcely perceptible", or "faintly discernible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "hardly visible" or "not visible"?

"Hardly visible" implies something is present but difficult to see, while "not visible" indicates it cannot be seen at all. Use "hardly visible" when something exists but is obscured or faint, and "not visible" when it is entirely absent.