How to use "noticeable"

What Does "noticeable" Mean?

• What it expresses: degree, extent
• What part of the sentence it typically modifies: whole clause, verb
• Register: neutral

How to Use It

• Typical sentence positions: mid (most natural), initial
• What it modifies and how it changes the meaning of a sentence: It modifies a verb or a clause, indicating the degree to which something is easily observed or apparent. It emphasizes the ease with which something can be noticed.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted, although this is less common. It is not typically used with negation or in questions.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it to modify an adjective or a noun would be grammatically incorrect. Overusing it can also make writing sound repetitive.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from noticeable on Ludwig.guru.

"It is noticeable that Starmer took some time before making his decision over the Drax activists." — The Guardian

"It will certainly make a noticeable difference to our bills"." — The Guardian

"He can't bear not having an audience and with so much of the media attention focused on Scotland, there's been a noticeable downturn in last year's Ukipmania." — The Guardian - Opinion

"Interviewing is a fascinating process, but there is a noticeable difference in how women present themselves compared with men – usually with far less confidence in their ideas, despite comparable or better educational backgrounds." — The Guardian

"What's most noticeable about the lineup is the expansion of hip-hop into other styles." — The Guardian

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/noticeable

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
obviously	Implies a higher degree of certainty and ease of perception.
clearly	Similar to 'obviously' but can also mean 'distinctly'.
plainly	Suggests something is easy to understand as well as see.
evidently	More formal; suggests evidence supports the observation.
markedly	Emphasizes the degree or extent of the difference or change.
visibly	Specifically related to something that can be seen.
distinctly	Highlights the clarity and separateness of the observation.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrectly using adverbs to modify 'noticeable' when an adjective is required (e.g., "very noticeable difference" is correct; "very noticeably difference" is incorrect).
• Overusing "noticeable" can make writing sound repetitive; consider using synonyms.
• Learners often confuse the adjective 'noticeable' with the verb 'notice' or incorrectly use adverbs to modify it when an adjective is required.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
noticeable	Indicates the degree to which something is easily observed or apparent.	Neutral	Mid-sentence, following 'it is' or similar constructions.

FAQs

Where does "noticeable" typically appear in a sentence?

"Noticeable" most commonly appears in the middle of a sentence, often following constructions like "it is noticeable that..." or "there is a noticeable difference..." While it can occasionally be placed at the beginning for emphasis, this is less frequent.

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How does "noticeable" differ from its closest alternative, "noticeably"?

"Noticeable" is an adjective, while "noticeably" is an adverb. "Noticeable" describes a noun (e.g., a noticeable change), whereas "noticeably" modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb (e.g., The temperature dropped noticeably). Thus, they have distinct grammatical roles.

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How can I correct the common mistake of confusing "noticeable" with the verb "notice" or using an adverb to modify it when an adjective is needed?

To avoid confusing "noticeable" with "notice", remember that "noticeable" describes a quality that can be observed. Ensure you use "noticeable" to describe nouns. If you find yourself using an adverb (like "noticeably") where you intend to describe the noun itself, switch to the adjective form, "noticeable."