not audible

USAGE SUMMARY

"not audible" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that cannot be heard or is not able to be heard clearly. Example: The speaker's microphone was not working properly, making their words not audible to the audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Orban's response was not audible.

The Guardian

If she's sweating, though, it's not audible.

The New York Times

And the word "me" — "menya" — was not audible.

The New York Times

Some are OK – it's the economy – others are dog-whistle issues, not audible to the human ear, but effective.

The Guardian

The heart device was not audible to a reporter who stood at the base of his bed.

The New York Times

Conversational speech is not audible in cases of severe (61 80 dB hearing level) or profound (81 dB hearing level or greater) hearing impairment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

But it most certainly isn't audible.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The New Yorker, August 4 , 1928P. 9 Scenes must be retaken because the final "K" in "swimming" wasn't audible.

The New Yorker

The Giants don't audible often, preferring to make their adjustments based on the options the play provides.

The New York Times - Sports

If there is a trace of soul, blues, reggae, or funk in Arcade Fire, it must be philosophical; it certainly isn't audible.

The New Yorker

The National Theatre's touring production isn't perfect: the energy sags a little in the second half, and some of the singing isn't audible over the music.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not audible" when you want to clearly state that a sound or speech could not be heard, either due to its faintness, distance, or external interference. It's appropriate for both technical and general contexts.

Common error

While both phrases mean essentially the same thing, "inaudible" is a single word and often preferred for conciseness. Overusing "not audible" can sometimes make your writing sound less fluid. Vary your phrasing for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not audible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the absence of sound or the inability to be heard. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not audible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression meaning something cannot be heard. Ludwig examples reveal that it appears most often in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Alternative phrases include "inaudible" and "cannot be heard". When writing, ensure you're using the phrase accurately to describe the absence of sound and consider whether a more concise synonym like "inaudible" might be more suitable. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inaudible

This is a direct synonym, implying the sound cannot be heard.

cannot be heard

A straightforward rephrasing of the original phrase.

unhearable

Less common but conveys the impossibility of hearing something.

imperceptible to the ear

Emphasizes the inability of the ear to detect the sound.

beyond hearing

Indicates the sound is outside the range of what can be heard.

undetectable by ear

Focuses on the inability to perceive the sound through hearing.

below the threshold of hearing

More technical, referring to the minimum sound level detectable.

beyond the range of human hearing

Specific to sounds that are physically outside the frequencies humans can perceive.

mute

Implies a complete absence of sound.

silent

Similar to mute, denoting lack of sound but can also imply quiet.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "not audible"?

When something is described as "not audible", it means that it cannot be heard. This could be due to the sound being too quiet, too far away, or obstructed in some way.

What are some synonyms for "not audible"?

Synonyms for "not audible" include "inaudible", "unhearable", and "beyond hearing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "not audible" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The whisper was so faint that it was "not audible" from across the room." You can replace whisper with any other sound source depending on context.

Is it better to use "not audible" or "inaudible"?

Both "not audible" and "inaudible" are correct, but "inaudible" is often more concise. Choose based on the desired tone and flow of your writing.