perceptibly different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perceptibly different" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is noticeably or distinctly different from something else, often in a subtle way. Example: "The two paintings were perceptibly different in their use of color and texture, despite appearing similar at first glance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The acting styles of Gosling and Williams are perceptibly different.

The Guardian - Film

The minds of all of us, and therefore the physical world, would be perceptibly different if Wells had never existed".

The New Yorker

"If you were to take the spectrum of colors that are perceptibly different to humans and chop it in half, every language would have more words for describing the warm half than the cool half," writes Rachel Gutman for The Atlantic.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His style was perceptibly different on each instrument: on tenor saxophone he had a burred and slightly bleary tone; on soprano he sounded silvery and precise; during his forays on flute he balanced dartlike flurries against a multiphonic humming; and his brief piano interlude was disarmingly sumptuous, with a sweeping romanticism that felt transplanted from another show.

The New York Times - Arts

We also conducted a pilot ‘tunable metricsâ€℠¢task to test whether optimizing a fixed system to different metrics would result in perceptibly different translation quality.

Johns Hopkins University

In fact our results show that the algorithm can differentiate more than 25% of the pairs of 'colours' that are described as not perceptibly different to an average human.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The regulator was perceptibly a different organisation in March 2008, when Mr Sants insisted on publishing an internal report on Northern Rock that was highly critical of the FSA itself.

The Economist

Not until about the 8th or 9th century—later in some parts did it strike them that Classical Latin was perceptibly a different language, rather than merely a more polished, cultured version of their own.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such a model is an essential prerequisite for future quality models of dynamic loading induced by individuals, groups and crowds running under a wide range of conditions, such as perceptibly vibrating bridges and different combinations of visual, auditory and tactile cues.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

Close-to-chance levels of performance indicate that narratives from parents of autistic children did not differ perceptibly from controls.

Brain

And on the second serve, they hit a much different, more timid, perceptibly slower serve.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perceptibly different" when you want to emphasize that a difference is noticeable, even if it's not immediately obvious. It adds a layer of nuance by suggesting a difference that requires some attention to discern.

Common error

Avoid using "perceptibly different" when the difference is glaringly obvious. The phrase implies a level of subtlety, so using it for stark contrasts can sound awkward. Choose a stronger phrase like "distinctly different" or "radically different" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perceptibly different" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a noticeable but subtle distinction. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys that the difference is discernible, though not necessarily obvious.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perceptibly different" is a grammatically sound and useful adjective phrase for describing differences that are noticeable but not necessarily obvious. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives exist, such as "noticeably distinct" or "markedly dissimilar", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use it when the difference requires some attention to discern and avoid overstating obvious contrasts. By understanding its proper usage, you can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeably distinct

Focuses on the readily observable difference.

markedly dissimilar

Emphasizes a clear and significant divergence.

visibly contrasting

Highlights the readily apparent differences.

distinctly distinguishable

Underscores the ease with which the items can be told apart.

appreciably varied

Indicates a difference that is significant enough to be recognized.

detectably changed

Focuses on the fact that the change is noticeable.

observably altered

Highlights that the alteration is capable of being observed.

tangibly diverse

Emphasizes the real and concrete differences.

patently disparate

Stresses the obvious and undeniable dissimilarity.

slightly divergent

Highlights a subtle shift away from a common point.

FAQs

How can I use "perceptibly different" in a sentence?

You can use "perceptibly different" to describe subtle but noticeable distinctions. For example, "The two shades of blue were "perceptibly different" under the new lighting".

What are some alternatives to "perceptibly different"?

Alternatives include "noticeably distinct", "markedly dissimilar", or "visibly contrasting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'imperceptibly different'?

Yes, "imperceptibly different" is correct. It means the differences are so subtle that they are nearly impossible to notice.

What's the difference between "perceptibly different" and "significantly different"?

"Perceptibly different" implies a subtle, noticeable difference, while "significantly different" suggests a larger, more important distinction. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you wish to convey.