is inaudible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is inaudible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be heard, often in contexts related to sound or audio quality. Example: "The speaker's voice was so low that it is inaudible to the audience in the back row."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Her own tentative guitar plucking is inaudible, out-muscled by electric strumming and a bouzouki.

Independent

From here, the sound of the war that began last night is inaudible.

The New York Times

It is also surrounded by buildings, so even the sound of nearby traffic is inaudible.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I completely miss it; the engine's initial engagement is inaudible and seamless.

The New York Times

But government officials said that that portion of the tape is inaudible.

The New York Times

This roar is inaudible if you're in a noisy room yourself.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Alas, it was inaudible.

The New Yorker

"It's inaudible".

The New York Times - Magazine

Jerome Weidman's voice was inaudible.

The New York Times

If any conversation was going on, it was inaudible.

The New Yorker

But those communications are inaudible in the courtroom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific contexts, specify the frequency range when stating something "is inaudible" to indicate it's outside human hearing capabilities.

Common error

Avoid using "is inaudible" when you mean something is simply unclear or difficult to understand in a general sense. "Inaudible" refers specifically to sounds. Use alternatives like "is obscure" or "is incomprehensible" when describing unclear writing or speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is inaudible" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject to indicate that it cannot be heard. As Ludwig AI states, it denotes a condition where sound is not perceptible.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is inaudible" is grammatically correct and denotes that something cannot be heard. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing sound or audio quality. While the phrase sees relatively uncommon use, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, remember that "is inaudible" applies specifically to sound, and consider alternatives like "is obscure" or "is incomprehensible" for general unclear communication. To refine your writing consider some examples, such as "The whisper "is inaudible" from this distance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be heard

Direct replacement focusing on the inability to perceive sound.

is not audible

Similar to "cannot be heard", emphasizing the lack of audibility.

is beyond hearing

Implies a limit or boundary beyond which sound cannot be detected.

is imperceptible

Highlights that the sound cannot be perceived, not just heard.

is undetectable

Focuses on the inability to detect the sound, technically or otherwise.

is too faint to hear

Emphasizes the low intensity of the sound making it hard to perceive.

is lost in the noise

Indicates that the sound is present but obscured by other sounds.

is below the threshold of hearing

A technical term indicating sound intensity below a detectable level.

is muffled

Suggests the sound is present but distorted, making it difficult to hear clearly.

is silenced

Indicates an active suppression of sound, making it inaudible.

FAQs

How can I use "is inaudible" in a sentence?

Use "is inaudible" to describe something that cannot be heard, such as "The whisper "is inaudible" from this distance" or "Part of the recording "is inaudible" due to static".

What's the difference between "is inaudible" and "is silent"?

"Is inaudible" means something cannot be heard, while "is silent" means there is no sound being produced. A dog whistle, for example, "is inaudible" to humans, but a room "is silent" when no one is speaking.

What are some alternatives to using "is inaudible"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "is inaudible" include "cannot be heard", "is not audible", or "is imperceptible".

When is it appropriate to use "is inaudible" in scientific writing?

"Is inaudible" is suitable in scientific writing to describe sounds outside the range of human hearing or below the threshold of perception. For example, "The bat's echolocation clicks "is inaudible" to humans".