Some things are simply invisibly visible

Question

Does this make any sense? Perhaps those "things" are invisible to most but not to the ones who strive for them. Please guide me and please correct the mistakes if there are any. Thanks.

Some things are simply invisibly visible. You just have to look for them.

Philip · Accepted Answer

Jackson6612invisibly visible

This linguistic twist might work in some cases, but in general it just doesn't make sense. Sorry.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Okay. Let me provide a context where I think it makes sense, at least to some.

When I visit that place I feel myself covered in serenity and that tranquility makes me feel closer to the nature. It seems as if *** is invisibly visibe there.

Do I make sense? Please let me know.

Awesomelyawesome · Answer

Yes, it does make sense to me.

Isn't it something that we call 'oxymoron'?

Jackson6612 · Answer

aman_2580Isn't it something that we call 'oxymoron'?

I think it is. But most of the oxymoron usages I have come across use two nouns side by side. In this case one is a noun and other is an adverb.

Thanks.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Please correct me.

Tanit · Answer

Jackson6612But most of the oxymoron usages I have come across use two nouns side by side.

Most of the oxymorons I know, both in English and in my native language, consist of an adjective and a noun. Deafening silence and open secret are, I guess, among the best known in English.

However, other combinations are possible ... have a look at this long list.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
invisibly visible This just seems to me like the kind of phrase where the writer invites the reader to think about it and try to find a meaning.

Other samples might be
lightly heavy
visibly invisible
happily angry
passively aggressive

You can be playful with language, you know.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks a lot, Tanit, Clive.

CliveThis just seems to me like the kind of phrase where the writer invites the reader to think about it and try to find a meaning.

Isn't this a sole purpose of an oxymoron? The use of two words with almost contradictory meanings and the reader is left wondering what the heck it's all about. Please let me know.

CliveOther samples might be
lightly heavy
visibly invisible
happily angry
passively aggressive

Let me tell you how I interpret your example oxymorons:

"lightly heavy" - A bottle of mercury is lightly heavy. (Given that mercury is liquid and so dense.)
"visibly invisible" - Okay, now I'm confused. What's the difference between "invisibly visible" and "visibly invisible"?
"happily angry" - When one is angry, one is supposed to look unhappy or unfriendly but there are some folks who could be happy even when they are angry. When they some thing you have to pause a second and think if they're simply kidding or just going through an episode of anger.
"passively aggressive" - Being aggressive means that you're not giving so much thought to your actions rather are simply trying desperately to conquer every bad thing in your way.

Please correct me. Thanks a lot for all the help and your tme.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Isn't this a sole purpose of an oxymoron? The use of two words with almost contradictory meanings and the reader is left wondering what the heck it's all about. Please let me know. Yes, that's the idea.

Exceot for 'passively aggressive', I just made these examples up. Whatever meaning you find in them depends on your imagination.

Let me tell you how I interpret your example oxymorons:

"lightly heavy" - A bottle of mercury is lightly heavy. (Given that mercury is liquid and so dense.)
How about if I say Tom's heart was lightly heavy?

"visibly invisible" - Okay, now I'm confused. What's the difference between "invisibly visible" and "visibly invisible"? I don't know.

"happily angry" - When one is angry, one is supposed to look unhappy or unfriendly but there are some folks who could be happy even when they are angry. When they some thing you have to pause a second and think if they're simply kidding or just going through an episode of anger.
Or maybe it could describe a person who enjoys being angry?

"passively aggressive" - Being aggressive means that you're not giving so much thought to your actions rather are simply trying desperately to conquer every bad thing in your way.
This common term usually describes someone who shows their aggression in passive ways.
eg A wife is angry with her husband.He keeps asking her 'What's wrong?' and she keeps saying 'Everything's fine'. But she says it in a way that shows him things are not fine.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thank you.

Some things are simply invisibly visible

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