subtle expression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subtle expression" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're describing something that is not overt or obvious, but still conveys a certain feeling. For example, "The slight curve of her lips indicated a subtle expression of sadness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

In consequence, subtle expression changes of weakly expressed genes potentially get lost in WAD-lists.

BioData Mining

Our interpretation is that Affymetrix technology can be saturated for highly expressed genes, becoming insensitive to subtle expression changes.

BMC Systems Biology

The simple syntactical nature of logical negation belies the profoundly complex and subtle expression of negation in natural language, as expressed in linguistically distinct categories and parts of speech (adverbs, verbs, copulas, quantifiers, affixes).

SEP

This may also explain the large difference between the study of Porter et al. and our study in the number of genes found differentially expressed at the early timepoints, where mainly subtle expression changes are expected.

BMC Genomics

This indicates that both Myc copies, present on medaka chromosomes 17 and 20, are expressed during development in a comparable pattern, but differ in subtle expression domains.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

"Its vocabulary was so constructed," George Orwell wrote, "as to give exact and often very subtle expression to every meaning that a Party member could properly wish to express, while excluding all other meanings".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"There are also what we call subtle expressions - not brief, but very small, almost imperceptible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Real Estate Market Those looking for subtle expressions of their wealth will not have much luck in Sagaponack these days.

The New York Times - Travel

The advantages of learning by image-based microexpressions, subtle expressions, macro expressions, art drawing and actor mimicry when there are cognitive deficits due to conditions such as autism.

Stanford University

He has a vast repertory of these subtle expressions, which suggests how the affection between the brothers is not very far removed from possible conflict.

The New York Times

Each and every character is utterly believable, even when they're lying, which they do with surprisingly subtle expressions and glances.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subtle expression" to describe non-verbal cues, artistic nuances, or any form of communication that isn't immediately obvious. Ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to grasp the understated nature of the expression.

Common error

Avoid using "subtle expression" when the expression is already clearly described as faint or barely perceptible. The word "subtle" should add nuance, not redundancy. For example, instead of saying “a subtle expression of a barely perceptible smile,” simply use “a barely perceptible smile”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subtle expression" functions as a noun phrase where "subtle" modifies "expression". It describes a manner of communicating something that is understated or not immediately apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "subtle expression" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to characterize nuanced or understated communication. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. It's commonly seen across diverse fields like science, news, and academia, and can refer to many forms of nuanced communication, from facial expressions to artistic choices. When using the phrase, ensure that the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the nature of the expression. Alternatives such as "understated indication", "slight manifestation", and "delicate indication" can add variety to your writing, while avoiding overuse in contexts where the subtlety is already implied enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understated indication

Replaces both "subtle" and "expression" with synonyms emphasizing a less obvious signal.

slight manifestation

Substitutes "subtle" with "slight", focusing on a small degree, and "expression" with "manifestation", referring to how something is revealed.

delicate indication

Replaces "subtle" with "delicate", highlighting the sensitivity and care involved in the expression.

nuanced communication

Focuses on the complexity of the expression, replacing "subtle" with "nuanced".

tacit acknowledgement

Emphasizes an unspoken or implicit form of expression.

faint demonstration

Highlights the weak nature of the expression using "faint" and the act of showing something using "demonstration".

muted display

Emphasizes the quiet or restrained nature of the expression using "muted" and the act of exhibiting something using "display".

gentle articulation

Highlights the softness of the expression with "gentle" and the way it's voiced or made clear using "articulation".

unobtrusive signal

Focuses on the lack of imposition of the expression, making it an "unobtrusive signal".

implicit indication

Emphasizes the implied nature of the expression.

FAQs

How can I use "subtle expression" in a sentence?

You can use "subtle expression" to describe anything from a faint facial expression to an understated artistic choice. For example, "The actor conveyed grief through a "subtle expression", barely a flicker in his eyes".

What's a good alternative to "subtle expression"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "subtle expression" include "understated indication", "slight manifestation", or "delicate indication".

Is "subtle expression" formal or informal?

"Subtle expression" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What does "subtle expression" mean?

"Subtle expression" refers to a way of conveying something that is not direct, obvious, or forceful. It suggests a degree of nuance and understatement.