poorly perceptible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly perceptible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to perceive or notice, often in contexts related to visibility, sound, or understanding. Example: "The details of the painting were poorly perceptible in the dim light of the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rather a model provides an investigator with an opportunity to probe one discrete dimension of a complex state, and so to gain mechanistic insights that are only poorly perceptible through the cacophony of interventions and responses that are present during the course of critical illness.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Although knockout or replacement of single genes has perceptible effects on behavior, these genes are part of larger networks whose functions remain poorly understood.

Genes, Brain and Behavior

It was not perceptible.

The New York Times - Food

There is no perceptible alternative.

The New York Times

Some 58% had shown perceptible improvement.

The Economist

That city is barely perceptible today.

The New Yorker

Still more significant, her work reproduces so poorly that it's rarely reproduced; her best known grid paintings--square canvases measuring six feet by six feet, with pale grounds of barely perceptible color divided by pencil or graphite lines--all but disappear in reduced-scale photographs.

The New Yorker

Undesired appearance: perceptible browning, dryness, wilting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

SERVICE -- So efficient it was barely perceptible.

The New York Times

Space was perceptible but not matter.

The Guardian - Arts

It is much more perceptible now".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing subtle changes or effects, use "poorly perceptible" to accurately convey that the change exists but is difficult to detect. For example, "The difference in taste was poorly perceptible."

Common error

Avoid using "poorly perceptible" when "imperceptible" is more accurate. "Poorly perceptible" indicates something is difficult to perceive, not impossible. If there is no perception at all, use "imperceptible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly perceptible" functions as an adverbial modifier + adjective, describing the extent to which something can be noticed or detected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly indicates a low degree of perceptibility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "poorly perceptible" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something that is difficult to perceive or notice. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not very common, it is found in both scientific and general media contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure it accurately reflects the degree of perceptibility; if something is entirely imperceptible, another phrase like "imperceptible" would be more appropriate. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight its use in describing subtle differences and barely noticeable changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to perceive

Directly states the difficulty in perceiving, using a more verbose construction.

barely detectable

Replaces "poorly" with "barely" and "perceptible" with "detectable", emphasizing the minimal level of detection.

scarcely noticeable

Uses "scarcely" instead of "poorly" and "noticeable" instead of "perceptible", highlighting the lack of ease in noticing something.

faintly discernible

Employs "faintly" and "discernible" to suggest a weak or unclear ability to distinguish something.

hardly appreciable

Substitutes "poorly" with "hardly" and "perceptible" with "appreciable", indicating that something is barely measurable or able to be recognized.

slightly detectable

Similar to barely detectable, with a nuance of "slightly".

dimly visible

Focuses on visual perception, indicating low visibility.

vaguely sensed

Shifts the context to sensing, suggesting an imprecise sensory experience.

imperceptible

Indicates something cannot be perceived at all, a stronger form of "poorly perceptible".

not easily observed

Emphasizes the difficulty in observing something, replacing the directness of "perceptible".

FAQs

How can I use "poorly perceptible" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly perceptible" to describe something that is difficult to notice or discern. For example, "The changes in the painting were "barely detectable" due to the dim lighting."

What's a good alternative to "poorly perceptible"?

Alternatives include "scarcely noticeable", "faintly discernible", or "hardly appreciable", depending on the specific context.

Is "poorly perceptible" grammatically correct?

Yes, "poorly perceptible" is grammatically correct. "Poorly" modifies the adjective "perceptible", indicating the degree to which something can be perceived.

When should I use "imperceptible" instead of "poorly perceptible"?

Use "imperceptible" when something cannot be perceived at all. Use "poorly perceptible" when something is still perceivable, but with difficulty. For example, an "imperceptible" sound is one you cannot hear, while a poorly perceptible sound is one that is very faint.