not easily seen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not easily seen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to notice or perceive with the eyes. Example: The small details of the painting were not easily seen from a distance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

LBV 1806-20, despits its brightness, is not easily seen.

The New York Times

Despite its name, the 'spots' are faint and not easily seen, especially in females.

Cornell University

On a bird in the hand these can be measured easily, but they are not easily seen in the field.

Cornell University

There also might be glass or other sharp objects in the water that are not easily seen, he said.

The New York Times

Yet they are not easily seen as acting because they have been provoked to a loss of self-control.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like several other brush-finches, it is generally common but not easily seen because of its liking for densely vegetated areas and its predominantly terrestrial behavior.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Since the plain was of great extent and entirely uncultivated because of the salt that permeated it, such a cloud of dust was raised by the cavalry that from a little distance one could not easily see what was happening.

University of Chicago

We do not easily see you.

Huffington Post

Upon arrival at a computer laboratory, participants were greeted by a research assistant, signed a consent form, and completed a computerized survey using MediaLab [ 18], (seated so they could not easily see the screens of other participants).

BMC Women's Health

Do it quietly and make sure they are facing a way in which they can not easily see you, even out of the corner of their eye.

WikiHow

For many, biochemistry can be tough to grasp because it isn't easily seen.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or subtle changes, use "not easily seen" to highlight the difficulty in recognizing or quantifying them.

Common error

Avoid using "not easily seen" when a simpler term like "hidden" or "unnoticeable" would suffice. Choose the most direct and concise wording for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not easily seen" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality of something that makes it difficult to perceive visually. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not easily seen" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to describe something that is difficult to perceive or notice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific writing. When choosing to use the phrase "not easily seen", consider whether simpler alternatives like "hidden" or "unnoticeable" might offer greater clarity. However, when highlighting the subtle or obscured nature of something, "not easily seen" is an appropriate and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to perceive

Focuses on the challenge of perceiving something, shifting from visual to general perception.

hard to detect

Emphasizes the difficulty in discovering or noticing something.

not readily apparent

Highlights that something is not immediately obvious or clear.

obscured from view

Indicates that something is hidden or blocked from sight.

not immediately visible

Stresses that something is not seen right away.

subtle and unnoticed

Implies that something is both understated and has gone without being noted.

faint and indistinct

Highlights lack of clarity in what is being perceived.

imperceptible to the eye

Suggests that something is impossible or nearly impossible to see.

lies hidden from sight

Underscores the hidden nature of something, making it unseen.

escapes casual observation

Focuses on the fact that one needs to be more than just superficially observing to see something.

FAQs

How can I use "not easily seen" in a sentence?

You can use "not easily seen" to describe something that is difficult to notice or perceive, such as: "The subtle differences between the two paintings were "not easily seen"."

What are some alternatives to "not easily seen"?

Some alternatives include "difficult to perceive", "hard to detect", or "not readily apparent" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not easily seen" or "hardly visible"?

Both phrases are correct, but "not easily seen" can imply a broader difficulty in perception, while "hardly visible" focuses specifically on visual obscurity. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as "not easily seen"?

It means that the thing being described is difficult to notice or observe. This could be due to its size, location, subtlety, or other factors.