was visible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was visible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that could be seen or perceived at a particular time in the past. Example: "The comet was visible in the night sky, drawing the attention of stargazers everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If someone really was visibly moved, what, exactly, was visible?

The New York Times - Magazine

(An imprint was visible).

The New Yorker

Suddenly my homelessness was visible.

Independent

It was visible for miles.

The New Yorker

Clurman's disappointment was visible.

The New York Times

Every detail was visible.

The Guardian

No fish was visible.

The New York Times - Food

Nothing was visible.

The Guardian

His frustration was visible.

The Guardian

The egress particularly was visible.

Yale University

A scrawled message was visible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was visible" to describe things that could be seen at a specific time in the past. For broader or general statements, consider using "is visible".

Common error

Avoid using "was visible" when you actually mean something was understandable or clear in a conceptual sense. "Apparent" or "evident" may be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was visible" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being able to be seen at a certain point in time. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous examples, signifying that something existed in a state where it could be observed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was visible" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that could be seen in the past. As Ludwig confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic sources, indicating its broad applicability and neutral register. While alternatives like "could be seen" or "was apparent" exist, "was visible" is a straightforward and effective way to convey visual perceptibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be seen

Emphasizes the possibility or ability to be seen.

was apparent

Highlights the obviousness or clear nature of something.

was noticeable

Focuses on the ease with which something can be observed.

was evident

Stresses the demonstrability and proof of something.

was perceptible

Indicates that something could be detected through the senses.

was discernible

Implies that something could be distinguished or recognized.

was detectable

Focuses on the ability to be discovered or identified.

was observable

Highlights the capability of being watched or studied.

was manifest

Suggests that something was clearly and undeniably revealed.

was showcased

Implies that the thing being shown was put on display

FAQs

How can I use "was visible" in a sentence?

Use "was visible" to describe something that could be seen at a particular point in the past. For example, "The moon was visible through the clouds last night."

What can I say instead of "was visible"?

You can use alternatives like "could be seen", "was apparent", or "was noticeable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was visibly" instead of "was visible"?

While "visibly" is an adverb that modifies a verb, "visible" is an adjective that describes a noun. Therefore, "was visible" is generally the correct form to use when describing something that could be seen.

What's the difference between "was visible" and "was evident"?

"Was visible" refers specifically to the ability to be seen with the eyes. "Was evident" implies that something was clear and obvious, not necessarily visually.