scarcely detectable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely detectable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very difficult to perceive or notice. Example: "The changes in the color of the paint were scarcely detectable to the naked eye."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It sounded lovely but its drinking habit, and scarcely detectable sales, killed it.

Independent

Indeed, a 50 percent drop in brightness between the centre and corners of an ordinary picture is scarcely detectable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The submarines have achieved this feat by means of operation in a submerged stealth environment, sophisticated concealment and protective tactics and a scarcely detectable, extremely low-noise signature emitted by its machinery and hull.

The Guardian - Opinion

This does not exclude the possibility of the existence in minor quantities and/or in a scarcely detectable form a highly oxidized iron stae (eg in the form of mobile unstable intermediates giving no or negligibly small Mössbauer effect).

Electrochimica Acta

One mouse (#9) never formed a tumor and one mouse (#11) had a tumor that was scarcely detectable.

Plosone

Since the intact 18S and 28S rRNAs were scarcely detectable in the MVs, the RIN was not a constraint for these samples.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Abnormal-sized bands corresponding to splice variant 5 or 6 were scarcely detected by our immunoblot analysis, except that patients 1 and 2 had detectable smaller-sized bands.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Hardly detectable.

Forbes

Native endogenous Irgm1 is scarcely if at all detectable on early and recycling endosomes defined by early and late uptake of fluorochrome-labelled transferrin (Figure 1C).

Plosone

In AP views the lumbar spine and pelvic bones were poorly detectable, in lateral views scarcely any structures were identifiable.

BMC Medical Education

Lifting, though, is detectable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental results or observations, use "scarcely detectable" to convey a low signal or minimal presence without implying complete absence. It's more nuanced than saying something is 'undetectable'.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely detectable" when you truly mean 'undetectable' or 'absent'. "Scarcely detectable" implies that some trace or signal is present, albeit very faint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely detectable" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is present but very difficult to perceive or notice. It is commonly used to describe minimal quantities or weak signals, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely detectable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjectival phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is commonly employed in scientific and news contexts to describe something present but extremely difficult to perceive. The phrase conveys a subtle presence, making it distinct from terms implying complete absence. When writing, remember that "scarcely detectable" is most appropriate when describing something that is present at a minimal level. Choose related terms such as "barely perceptible" or "hardly noticeable" to give nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely perceptible

Changes focus to the act of perceiving, rather than the possibility of detection.

hardly noticeable

Emphasizes the lack of ease in noticing something.

faintly discernible

Highlights the effort required to distinguish something.

almost imperceptible

Focuses on the very slight degree to which something can be perceived.

virtually undetectable

Indicates the extreme difficulty in detecting something, close to impossible.

negligibly visible

Highlights the minimal visual presence of something.

scarcely visible

Synonymous, focusing on visual detection.

barely visible

Synonymous, focusing on visual detection.

marginally observable

Highlights the edge of observability.

faintly apparent

Emphasizes the subtle appearance of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "scarcely detectable"?

Alternatives include "barely perceptible", "hardly noticeable", or "faintly discernible", depending on the context.

Is "scarcely detectable" formal or informal?

The phrase "scarcely detectable" is appropriate for formal and scientific writing. It's less common in casual conversation.

What does "scarcely detectable" imply about the presence of something?

It implies that something is present, but in such a small quantity or with such a weak signal that it's very difficult to detect.

Can I use "scarcely detectable" to describe a complete absence?

No, "scarcely detectable" indicates a minimal presence, not a complete absence. For complete absence, use terms like "undetectable" or "absent".