is not palpable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not palpable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be perceived or felt physically, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The tension in the room was so thick it was almost palpable, but his fear was not palpable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet the commanding lead in the polls is not palpable at campaign events for Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

It is important during the abdominal examination to make sure the bladder is not palpable.

Clinical interventions in aging

When the disease is not palpable, however, there is no way to control such emotional states as fear or anxiety about spread of the disease by resorting to objective indices of its change.

BioSocieties

In this sense, it must be noted that if the spleen is not palpable at diagnosis and does not become palpable after 1 or 2 years, the possibility of other conditions such as myelodysplasia, which can also cause cytopenias and marrow fibrosis, should be excluded by careful examination of the bone marrow histopathologic features.

Blood Cancer Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Deity isn't palpable; it's not indisputably there in the world of this poem, and all we have is the Father's voice, his pronouncements, or in other words all we have is a text just like the text of scripture – or in fact, it is the text of scripture.

Yale University

"We have found a lot of hidden things that were not palpable to us during rehearsal.

The New York Times

Stereotaxic fine-needle biopsy also is used to evaluate breast lesions that are not palpable but are detected by mammography.

Britannica

For example, a three-dimensional surgical technique known as stereotaxic surgery can be used to conduct fine-needle biopsy to evaluate breast lesions that are not palpable but are detected by mammography.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Carotid pulses were not palpable.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Regional lymph nodes were not palpable.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

The axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes were not palpable.

Surgical Case Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like emotions or trends, use "is not palpable" to convey that they are not easily sensed or felt, even if their effects are present. For instance, "the impact of the policy was evident, but the change in public sentiment was not palpable".

Common error

While "is not palpable" is correct in medical descriptions (e.g., a tumor), avoid overusing it when other terms like "undetectable" or "imperceptible" might be more appropriate for broader audiences. This enhances clarity and avoids sounding overly clinical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not palpable" functions as a descriptive term, indicating that something cannot be easily perceived through touch or other senses. Ludwig examples show it used in medical contexts and to describe abstract concepts. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

12%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not palpable" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that cannot be easily perceived physically or emotionally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's valid in written English. While the phrase is relatively rare, it appears across different domains, with the highest occurrence in science, and also in news and media, and academia. When writing, consider using "is imperceptible", "is not tangible", or "is not obvious" as possible alternatives depending on the context. Be mindful of overusing the phrase in non-medical contexts to avoid sounding overly clinical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is imperceptible

Emphasizes the lack of ability to perceive something, either physically or mentally.

is undetectable

Focuses on the inability to detect something, often through scientific or medical means.

is not tangible

Highlights the lack of physical substance or realness.

is not discernible

Stresses the inability to clearly distinguish or recognize something.

cannot be felt

Directly addresses the inability to experience a physical sensation.

is not sensed

Focuses on the lack of sensory perception.

is beyond perception

Highlights that something cannot be understood through the senses.

is not obvious

Emphasizes the lack of clear visibility or understanding.

is not evident

Stresses the lack of clear evidence or proof.

eludes detection

Highlights the difficulty in discovering or noticing something.

FAQs

How can I use "is not palpable" in a sentence?

You can use "is not palpable" to describe something that cannot be easily sensed or felt, either physically or emotionally. For example: "The fear was present, but "was not palpable" in the leader's voice."

What's a more common alternative to "is not palpable"?

While "is not palpable" is grammatically sound, alternatives like "is not obvious", "is not evident", or "is imperceptible" may be more readily understood by a broader audience, depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is not palpable" in a medical context?

In medical contexts, "is not palpable" is appropriate when describing a mass, pulse, or organ that cannot be felt during a physical examination. For example, "The spleen "was not palpable" upon abdominal examination."

What's the difference between "is not palpable" and "is not tangible"?

"Is not palpable" suggests something cannot be felt or sensed, whereas "is not tangible" implies a lack of physical substance or realness. "Is not palpable" can apply to abstract concepts, while "is not tangible" usually refers to physical things.