just audible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just audible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound that is barely heard or only faintly perceptible. Example: "The whisper was just audible over the noise of the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"Soon," Hester said, her voice just audible, no more.

The New Yorker

He mutters, cursing under his breath, just audible over the audience chatter.

The Guardian - Arts

That's the thing about me," says Lewis, just audible over the crackly line.

The Guardian - Music

Sometimes, this sound is only just audible above the roar of the wind across the plains.

The Guardian - Film

Or, smaller still, the just audible shake In a person's voice when a laugh Is yearning to escape.

The Guardian

Keeping audience members interested in a 60-second pitch or 60-minute keynote requires more than just audible, intelligible speech: it requires storytelling.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The human-like qualities of the sounds in this new palette were strong enough to support, not just impressions, but audible emotions wringing warmth from a hyper-mathematical often criticized as cold.

Vice

When a professional cricketer running in to bowl sees his England teammate a posh amateur practising his golf swing, the author's tut is all but audible.Just after the 1959 general election a cartoon depicted the patrician Harold Macmillan, re-elected as prime minister, sitting beside a fridge, a car, a washing machine and a television.

The Economist

Among his tips for a host determined not to pour too many drinks: "Sit in a specially deep easy-chair, and practice getting out of it with a mild effort and, later in the evening, a just-audible groan".

The New York Times - Books

Maybe I can hear the distant sound of a badly-tuned radio or the feint echo of young laughter under the virtual tide's hissing swell, a just-audible hint of activity on the edge of the cyber sea.

Vice

As you enter, the muffled voices of other patrons are just barely audible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just audible" to emphasize the delicate or subtle nature of a sound, indicating that it requires focused attention to perceive.

Common error

Avoid using "just audible" excessively when describing dialogue. Overusing it can make characters seem consistently weak or hesitant. Vary your descriptions with stronger verbs and adverbs to create more dynamic and engaging character interactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just audible" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (e.g., 'sound', 'whisper'). It describes the quality of a sound, indicating that it is at the threshold of audibility. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just audible" is a grammatically sound and relatively common adjectival phrase used to describe sounds that are barely perceptible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression, primarily found in News & Media and Academic contexts. While its use is straightforward, avoiding overuse in dialogue descriptions is advisable to maintain dynamic character interactions. Alternatives like "barely audible" or "faintly audible" offer similar nuances, allowing for varied and descriptive writing. The phrase effectively conveys subtlety and can enhance atmospheric descriptions by highlighting sounds at the edge of perception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely audible

Uses a direct synonym for "just", maintaining semantic equivalence.

faintly audible

Replaces "just" with "faintly", emphasizing the weak nature of the sound.

scarcely audible

Emphasizes the difficulty in hearing the sound, similar to "just audible".

hardly audible

Indicates the sound is difficult to perceive; close in meaning to the original.

imperceptible sound

Shifts focus to the sound itself being imperceptible, rather than the act of hearing it.

almost inaudible

Indicates the sound is nearing the point of being completely undetectable.

subtly audible

Highlights the delicate or understated quality of the sound.

softly audible

Focuses on the low volume or intensity of the sound.

whisper-quiet

Uses a descriptive term to imply the sound's quietness, making it barely audible.

muted sound

Implies the sound has been reduced in volume, making it nearly imperceptible.

FAQs

How can I use "just audible" in a sentence?

The phrase "just audible" describes a sound that is barely perceptible. For example, "Her whisper was "just audible" over the loud music" or "The stream was "just audible" in the distance".

What are some alternatives to "just audible"?

Alternatives include "barely audible", "faintly audible", or "scarcely audible". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "just audible" or "barely audible"?

Both "just audible" and "barely audible" are correct and very similar in meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations in your writing. There is no significant difference in their grammatical correctness or acceptability.

What does it mean when a sound is described as "just audible"?

When a sound is described as "just audible", it means that the sound is at the threshold of being heard; it is faint and requires attention to perceive. It implies the sound could easily be missed or obscured by other noises.