not readily observable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not readily observable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not easily seen or detected, often in scientific or analytical contexts. Example: "The effects of the medication were not readily observable in the initial trials, requiring further study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Since such structures are not readily observable, they must be discerned from intensive interpretive analysis of myths, language, or texts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because of rate-limiting ET in the natural enzymatic system reactive Fe-peroxy and ferryl intermediates in P450 catalytic cycles are not readily observable.

Methods in Enzymology

"People don't think enough about that long-term trade-off, because it's not readily observable ― you don't see the drug that's not developed," said Craig Garthwaite, an economist at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management who specializes in the pharmaceutical industry.

Huffington Post

This regulation is not readily observable during exposure since the FAD inhibition of aromatase activity dominates the network compensation efforts.

BMC Systems Biology

We assume these questions reflect an inner quality of life experience which may be subtle and not readily observable by parents.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Such an empirical approach may reveal subtypes with differing etiological mechanisms and prognostic outcomes not readily observable using a variable-centered analysis.

Development and Psychopathology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Although sometimes given in high doses as sedatives to seriously agitated patients in psychiatric hospital settings, they are more commonly given to people whose anxiety is self-described and not necessarily readily observable to the doctor.

Huffington Post

When using selectively genotyped AIL populations for fine mapping purposes this is particularly problematic since genome-wide changes in the distribution of nominal significance measures will not be readily observable.

Plosone

In other words, the effects of amplification may not be readily observable unless there is a spatial separation of speech and noise.

BioMed Research International

This finding suggests that, compared with precuneus, frontal amyloid deposition may be linked to impairment and disease severity, but the protective effect of CR is not as readily observable.

Annals of Neurology

Level 3 securities trade infrequently and don't have readily observable values, allowing bankers the most leeway in their valuations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not readily observable", provide context to explain why something isn't easily seen or detected. This adds clarity and informs the reader about potential limitations or complexities.

Common error

Avoid using "not readily observable" when something is completely invisible or undetectable. The phrase implies a degree of subtlety, not complete absence. If something is truly impossible to observe, use stronger language such as "undetectable" or "invisible".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not readily observable" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that is difficult to see, detect, or understand immediately. Ludwig AI highlights that it is commonly used to describe subtle phenomena that require careful analysis or specific tools.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not readily observable" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing something that is not easily detected or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various domains, particularly in scientific and analytical contexts. While not overly frequent, its appearance in reputable sources such as scientific journals and encyclopedias indicates its value in formal and technical writing. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide context to explain the difficulty in observation and to avoid overstating the degree of invisibility. Alternatives like ""not easily detected"" or ""not immediately apparent"" may offer suitable substitutions depending on the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not easily detected

Focuses on the difficulty of detection rather than observation.

not immediately apparent

Emphasizes the lack of immediate visibility or understanding.

difficult to perceive

Highlights the challenge in perceiving or understanding something.

hard to discern

Stresses the effort required to distinguish or identify something.

not obvious

Indicates a lack of clear or easily noticeable presence.

subtle and unnoticeable

Highlights the subtlety and lack of prominence of something.

imperceptible to the senses

Focuses on the inability to detect something through the senses.

not visually apparent

Specifically refers to something that is not visible.

obscure and hidden

Emphasizes the hidden and unclear nature of something.

undetectable by normal means

Suggests that special methods are required for detection.

FAQs

How can I use "not readily observable" in a sentence?

You can use "not readily observable" to describe phenomena or characteristics that are difficult to detect or perceive without specific tools or methods. For instance, "The effects of the treatment were "not readily observable" in the early stages of the experiment".

What are some alternatives to "not readily observable"?

Some alternatives include "not easily detected", "not immediately apparent", or "difficult to perceive" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not readily observable" or "unobservable"?

"Not readily observable" suggests that something can be observed with effort or specific tools, while "unobservable" implies that it cannot be observed at all. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What does "not readily observable" mean in scientific research?

In scientific research, "not readily observable" typically indicates that a phenomenon or effect is subtle and requires careful measurement or analysis to detect. It suggests that the effect is present but "not obvious".