is hardly visible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is hardly visible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to see or perceive due to its faintness or obscurity. Example: "The text on the old document is hardly visible, making it challenging to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

For the ordinary tourist, this political side of Zanzibar is, hardly visible.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Travel

No, I didn't file a police report, but I was sure tempted as the tree is hardly visible from the street.

The New York Times

In fact, he is hardly visible: he is off at the far left of the picture, with only half his face and body in shot.

The Guardian - Books

The impact of the financial devastation of the past several years is hardly visible along the quiet, well-tended streets of many Prince George's neighborhoods.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

For example, for the question "Are the vascular structures visible through the dense parenchyma?" a score of '1' would mean that vascular structures were hardly visible while a score of '5' would indicate that visibility was excellent.

European Radiology

The machine itself was hardly visible.

The New York Times

However, usual kinds of damage are hardly visible and require monitoring techniques to guarantee their reliability.

Composites Part B: Engineering

All mentioned novel economical applications are hardly visible from currently used "continuous covariance" framework.

Information Sciences

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is hardly visible", ensure the context provides clarity on what obscures or reduces visibility. Adding details about lighting, distance, or obstructions enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "is hardly visible" without specifying what is obscured or causing the lack of visibility. For instance, instead of saying "The effect is hardly visible", specify "The effect of the medication is hardly visible without detailed analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is hardly visible" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically serving as a predicate adjective that modifies a noun. It describes the state of something being difficult to see or perceive. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is hardly visible" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is difficult to see or perceive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's frequently used in both scientific and news contexts to describe subtle details or conditions that affect visibility. Related phrases, such as "is scarcely perceptible", offer nuanced alternatives, while practical writing guidance emphasizes the importance of providing context to clarify what exactly reduces the visibility. Whether discussing faint watermarks or subtle scientific phenomena, "is hardly visible" effectively communicates a limited capacity for visual perception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is scarcely perceptible

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing something due to its faintness or subtlety. It's a more formal alternative.

is barely discernible

Highlights the challenge in distinguishing something from its background or surroundings. It suggests a slight, but present, ability to notice.

is almost imperceptible

Indicates that something is so faint or small that it's nearly impossible to perceive, nearly to the point of not existing for perception purposes.

is faintly noticeable

Implies a very weak visibility or detectability. More conversational.

is subtly apparent

Suggests that something is visible or noticeable but requires close attention to detect. This implies a need for careful observation.

is just about detectable

Emphasizes the lower limit of detectability. Is more informal.

is only slightly visible

Focuses on the degree of visibility, indicating it's present but minimal.

is difficult to make out

Highlights the effort required to see or understand something. Indicates clarity issues.

is practically unseen

Focuses on a state close to being unseen or imperceptible.

is vaguely detectable

Indicates an uncertain or unclear detection of something.

FAQs

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

Use "is hardly visible" to describe something that is difficult to see or notice. For example, "The watermark on the document "is hardly visible" without magnification".

What can I say instead of "is hardly visible"?

You can use alternatives like "is scarcely perceptible", "is barely discernible", or "is almost imperceptible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is hardly visible" or "is barely visible"?

Both "is hardly visible" and "is barely visible" are correct and have similar meanings, indicating that something is difficult to see. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is hardly visible" and "is slightly visible"?

"Is hardly visible" suggests a greater degree of obscurity, implying it's difficult to see at all. "Is slightly visible" implies that it can be seen, but not very well.