Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it's imperceptible
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
it doesn't show
it's not apparent
it's not clear
it is not evident
it escapes attention
it's not obvious
it's hard to tell
it remains uncertain
the situation is ambiguous
more information is needed
further investigation is required
the details are hazy
it is uncertain
it's uncertain
the matter is unresolved
the picture is unclear
it's open to question
it is debatable
it is doubtful
it warrants further investigation
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
She asks her suitor, "Is it chill that you're in my head?" If there is a wink in either of those lines, it's imperceptible.
News & Media
"But you make me jealous". This is Swift the unyielding perfectionist, the professionally heartbroken woman who has built a career by enacting lyrical revenge on her lovers characterizing herself as "chill". She has grown fond of this word, which also appears on "Delicate". She asks her suitor, "Is it chill that you're in my head?" If there is a wink in either of those lines, it's imperceptible.
News & Media
It's not a deal-breaker because it's imperceptible when you're viewing a movie in landscape mode from an angle, if two people are watching together, say.
News & Media
These may flicker, and even if it's imperceptible to you, it may be very painful or distracting to the autistic person.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
This reform, called 'silent reform' because it is imperceptible to citizens in its early stages, basically consists in increasing maximum pensions in line with inflation instead of wage or productivity growth.
Science
The flickering is so slight that it is imperceptible to the human eye, but the camera on another phone can detect it at a distance of up to ten metres.
News & Media
Colette Kaufman, who lives on the 11th floor of a building across the street, said that if the noise had been muffled, it was imperceptible to her. "It's like trying to describe pain," she said.
News & Media
The study reveals that 60% of Europeans and almost 80% of North Americans cannot see the glowing band of our galaxy because of the effects of artificial lighting, while it is imperceptible to the entire populations of Singapore, Kuwait and Malta.
News & Media
It was found that this filter reduced jittering to the point where it was imperceptible.
The compression is indeed based on adding quantization noises where it is imperceptible, or at least barely audible.
The sinking is so subtle that it is imperceptible on the ground, save for the effect on infrastructure.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Pair this phrase with sensory nouns like scent, sound, movement, or change to provide clear context.
Common error
Do not use "it's imperceptible" to mean that something does not exist. It specifically refers to the limitation of perception, not the absence of the object itself.
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
In terms of grammatical function, "it's imperceptible" acts as a complete predicative statement where the subject pronoun 'it' is linked to an adjective via the contracted verb 'is'. According to Ludwig, this structure is primarily used to assign a quality of extreme subtlety to a previously mentioned noun or concept.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Science
30%
Academia
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Wiki
1%
Social Media
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "it's imperceptible" is a highly effective phrase for describing the finest nuances in both physical and abstract realms. Data from Ludwig indicates that while the contraction itself appears less frequently in strictly formal scientific journals than its full form, it is a staple of high-end literary and tech journalism. It is most commonly used to describe sensations or changes that exist but fail to trigger a response from human senses. Writers should favor this phrase when they want to convey a sense of extreme subtlety or technical precision without sounding overly clinical.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it is indiscernible
A more formal synonym implying that the mind or senses cannot distinguish the object.
it is unnoticeable
Uses the full form of the verb and a more common adjective focusing on lack of attention.
it is undetectable
Suggests that even with effort or technology, the thing cannot be found.
it is non-apparent
A technical or clinical way of saying something is not obvious.
it's nearly invisible
Specific to sight and adds a modifier of degree.
it is subtle
Implies the thing is there but requires fine attention to notice.
it's faint
Suggests a low intensity of sound, light, or smell.
it is negligible
Focuses on the insignificance of the thing rather than just its sensory detection.
it's minute
Focuses on the extremely small physical size of the subject.
it's hidden
Implies the thing is intentionally or naturally obscured from view.
FAQs
How to use "it's imperceptible" in a sentence?
You can use it to describe a very subtle change, for example: 'The movement of the clock's hand is so slow that "it's imperceptible" to the naked eye'.
What can I say instead of "it's imperceptible"?
Depending on your tone, you could use "it is unnoticeable", "it is indiscernible", or "it is undetectable".
Which is correct, "it's imperceptible" or "it is imperceptible"?
Both are grammatically correct. "it's imperceptible" is a contraction used in neutral or informal writing, while "it is imperceptible" is preferred in formal or academic contexts.
What's the difference between "it's imperceptible" and "it's invisible"?
While "it's invisible" specifically refers to sight, "it's imperceptible" can refer to any of the senses, including sound, touch, or smell.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested