visibly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "visibly not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is clearly or obviously not the case or not true. Example: "The results of the experiment were visibly not what we expected, leading us to question our initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The OLED screen is relatively sharp, but visibly not quite as crisp as an iPhone.

The Guardian - Tech

Olsen replaced Boscovic, who was visibly not happy with the decision, with Lewis Neal.

The Guardian - Sport

And it's visibly not true that the government is destined to fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of them was caught by a man who was visibly not Chinese, but who seemed happy with the souvenir all the same.

The New Yorker

The idea that the toothless, scraggly-haired Henry, visibly not a gentleman, could be mistaken for one by his adversary — an earl, no less — is absurd.

The New York Times

Cameron's airy assurance that people should "not automatically assume" that seven-day services would cost more was visibly not shared by the NHS chief executive, Simon Stevens, speaking after him at the same event.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He's a ratings giant, capturing a cross-generational fanbase while maintaining a visibly gay – not just camp – sensibility.

Independent

On Monday, a few fans visited the clinic where Mr. Galimov died, visibly struggling not to cry, and wove flowers between the bars of an iron fence.

The New York Times

He found sufficient pain in the existential states of relatively privileged characters who visibly do not know what to do with themselves.

The New Yorker

Well, it mattered during the first debate, when he visibly did not want to be there.This is one reason why I love politics.

The Economist

If it is meant to allay fears and nervousness, it very visibly does not do that.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "visibly not" to express a clear lack of visual evidence or outward manifestation of something. This phrase is useful when you want to emphasize that something is not apparent to the eye or easily observable.

Common error

While "visibly not" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "not demonstrably" or "not evidently" in academic or professional writing to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "visibly not" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the absence of visual evidence or appearance. It modifies a verb or adjective to express that something is clearly not seen or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "visibly not" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the absence of visual evidence. Ludwig AI validates its use across diverse contexts like news reporting and scientific papers. While "visibly not" is quite versatile, it's important to be mindful of the context. In professional or scientific writing, consider more formal alternatives such as "not demonstrably" or "not evidently" in place of "visibly not". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources. When aiming for clarity and precision, "visibly not" serves as a valuable tool, but always consider your audience and the formality of the occasion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly not apparent

Emphasizes the lack of clear visibility or obviousness.

not outwardly

Focuses on the external appearance lacking evidence.

not noticeably

Highlights the absence of something easily observed.

not evidently

Stresses the lack of clear proof or indication.

not perceptibly

Indicates something cannot be easily detected by the senses.

not discernibly

Focuses on the difficulty in distinguishing or recognizing something.

not demonstrably

Emphasizes the absence of clear proof that can be shown.

not manifestly

Highlights the lack of obviousness or plainness.

not recognizably

Stresses that something is not easily identified.

inconspicuously absent

Indicates a subtle or unnoticeable absence.

FAQs

How can I use "visibly not" in a sentence?

You can use "visibly not" to indicate that something lacks visual evidence. For instance, "The suspect was "not visibly injured" despite the severity of the car crash".

What are some alternatives to "visibly not"?

Alternatives include phrases like "clearly not apparent", "not outwardly", or "not noticeably", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "visibly not" or "not visibly"?

Both "visibly not" and "not visibly" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, although "visibly not" is more common. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of your sentence.

What is the difference between "visibly not" and "obviously not"?

While both indicate a lack of something, "visibly not" specifically refers to the absence of visual evidence, whereas "obviously not" implies a general lack of any kind of evidence, not just visual. For example: "The flaw in the design was "obviously not" intentional".