made palpable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made palpable" is a perfectly valid and often used phrase in written English.
It means to make something real or tangible. For example, "The impact of the tragedy was made palpable in the silence of the assembled crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The essential, slyly reflective nature of Lichtenstein's art is made palpable.

The New York Times - Arts

Millions of Americans still cling to the dream that his songs made palpable.

The New York Times - Books

So little is made palpable; does the writer chummily assume her readers know this world already?

The New York Times - Books

The fiction of omniscience is always made palpable rather than concealed.

The Guardian - Books

Coetzee has always been a novelist of ideas made palpable -- made flesh, you might say.

The New York Times - Books

That moment was thrilling and made palpable the magic of hearing opera live.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Kaye makes palpable the pain that this rejection causes Florence.

The New Yorker

He makes palpable their fragility and frustration but doesn't push us to agree with them or, worse, pity them.

The New York Times

What "Action" does is make palpable the pure performance energy of those who are enacting it -- the doers.

The New York Times

By turns apocalyptic, brooding or sardonic, some of them make palpable the challenges and anxieties of contemporary life.

The New York Times - Arts

In the sequel to 2001's brilliant The Siege, Dunmore makes palpable the fear and paranoia suffered by ordinary citizens of Stalin's Russia.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made palpable" to describe how abstract concepts or feelings are given a concrete or tangible quality. For instance, "The artist's skillful brushstrokes made the character's sorrow palpable."

Common error

Avoid using "made palpable" when simpler terms like "made clear" or "obvious" would suffice. Overusing sophisticated language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made palpable" functions as a verb phrase complemented by an adjective, indicating that something has been transformed to be easily perceived or felt. As Ludwig AI explains, it means to make something real or tangible, bringing it within the realm of sensory experience. Examples provided by Ludwig showcase this transformation across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

30%

Books

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made palpable" effectively conveys the act of transforming something abstract into a tangible or easily perceivable form. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, arts, and books. When writing, it’s best to use this phrase when aiming to emphasize a sensory or emotional impact, while avoiding overuse in simpler contexts where other common and equally valid expressions may suffice. The phrase brings vividness and clarity to writing, helping the writer express something abstract in a more grounded way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rendered tangible

Focuses on making something concrete and touchable, literally or figuratively.

brought to life

Implies making something vivid and realistic, often in a creative context.

made evident

Highlights the act of making something clear and obvious.

became apparent

Stresses the process of something becoming noticeable or understood.

was realized

Emphasizes the understanding or awareness of something previously vague.

expressed clearly

Focuses on the clarity and explicitness of the communication.

given substance

Suggests providing something with weight, importance, or tangibility.

instilled with feeling

Highlights the emotional impact and resonance of something.

transformed into reality

Emphasizes a complete change to something real.

presented vividly

Focuses on how something is presented in an engaging and memorable way.

FAQs

How can I use "made palpable" in a sentence?

Use "made palpable" to describe when something abstract, like a feeling or idea, becomes tangible or easily perceived. For instance, "The actor's performance "made palpable" the character's inner turmoil."

What are some alternatives to "made palpable"?

You can use alternatives like "rendered tangible", "became apparent", or "brought to life" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "made palpable" or "made obvious"?

"Made palpable" suggests something abstract becomes tangible and clear, especially to the senses. "Made obvious" simply means something becomes easy to see or understand. Use "made palpable" when you want to emphasize the sensory or emotional impact, versus something just becoming understandable.

What is the difference between "made palpable" and "readily palpable"?

"Made palpable" means something was caused to be easily perceived. "Readily palpable" suggests something is easily perceived without effort. The first suggests a transformation, while the second implies an inherent quality.