scarcely readable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely readable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe text that is difficult to read or understand, often due to poor handwriting, formatting, or other factors. Example: "The old manuscript was so faded that it was scarcely readable, making it challenging for historians to decipher its contents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The thinly disguised autobiographical novel In the Mink (1952) might have been more interesting if she had named names, but the characters are as lifeless as shop-window models, and whatever documentary value it may have for historians of the fashion world, it is scarcely readable as a novel.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was an iconoclast, challenging established thought and custom in a fashion which makes him eminently readable today but which scarcely contributed to his academic earning power at the time.

BBC

Very readable.

The Guardian - Books

Ferociously readable.

The Guardian - Books

A simple, readable style?

Independent

"It is immensely readable.

The New York Times

And it is readable.

The New Yorker

"He became more readable.

The New York Times

Will Word 6 be readable?

The New Yorker

Make your privacy policy readable.

The New York Times

Ancient manuscripts are still readable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely readable" to describe texts where the physical presentation (e.g., fading, poor printing) or the writing style (e.g., dense prose) makes it challenging to understand the content.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely readable" when the issue is simply a matter of personal taste or interest. The phrase should primarily describe objective difficulties in reading, not subjective disinterest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely readable" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to a text. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the quality of being difficult to read. The example provided illustrates its use in describing a novel.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely readable" is used to describe something that is difficult to read or understand, according to Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct but relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, according to the available examples. Alternatives include "hardly legible" and "barely readable". When using the phrase, ensure it reflects an objective difficulty in reading, rather than a subjective dislike of the content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly legible

Replaces "readable" with "legible", emphasizing the difficulty in deciphering the text's individual characters.

barely readable

Uses "barely" to highlight the minimal level of readability, suggesting it's almost impossible to read.

almost unreadable

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty, suggesting it's close to being impossible to read.

nearly illegible

Similar to "almost unreadable", stressing the closeness to being completely illegible.

difficult to decipher

Shifts the focus to the act of understanding, indicating the text is challenging to interpret.

faintly legible

Highlights the faintness or weakness of the text's legibility.

challenging to read

General term indicating difficulty in the reading process.

hard to make out

Describes the act of visually discerning the text, implying the writing is faint or unclear.

indistinct writing

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the writing itself.

poorly written

Focuses on the quality of the writing itself as the reason for difficulty in reading.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcely readable" in a sentence?

You can use "scarcely readable" to describe a text that is difficult to read due to its condition or writing style. For example, "The old manuscript was so faded that it was "scarcely readable".

What are some alternatives to "scarcely readable"?

Some alternatives include "hardly legible", "barely readable", or "almost unreadable", depending on the degree of difficulty in reading the text.

When is it appropriate to use "scarcely readable"?

It's appropriate to use "scarcely readable" when you want to emphasize that something is very difficult to read, close to being unreadable, due to physical condition, writing style, or other factors that impede comprehension.

Is "scarcely readable" the same as "unreadlable"?

"Scarcely readable" implies difficulty in reading, while "unreadlable" suggests complete inability to read the text. The degree of difficulty conveyed is different; "scarcely readable" allows for some level of readability, whereas unreadable does not.