be eclipsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be eclipsed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is overshadowed or made less visible or important by something else. Example: "In the debate, her brilliant ideas were unfortunately eclipsed by the more dominant voices in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that record will soon be eclipsed.

The Guardian - Tech

"I don't think it will be eclipsed".

The New York Times

But his D.J. career may soon be eclipsed.

The New York Times

But will she be eclipsed by potential fashion rival Ora?

Independent

I don't want that ever to be eclipsed.

The New York Times

Might the old magic be eclipsed by slick, new attractions?

The New York Times - Travel

But it could still be eclipsed by Lebanon.

The Guardian - Travel

The movies would soon be eclipsed by television.

The Guardian

And Archie was not someone who could happily be eclipsed.

The New York Times - Books

Still basic principals in fracture treatment may not be eclipsed by new fixation devices.

Injury

And people think that the printed word will be eclipsed by ebooks!

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be eclipsed" when you want to convey that something has lost prominence or importance due to the presence or emergence of something else more significant. This phrase is useful in both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "be eclipsed" when you intend to describe an active action. The phrase is in the passive voice, so ensure the subject is receiving the action, not performing it. For example, instead of saying "The sun be eclipsed the moon", say "The moon was eclipsed by the sun."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be eclipsed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is on the receiving end of an action that obscures or diminishes its importance. Ludwig AI shows many examples where it is used to describe something being overshadowed by something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be eclipsed" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that something is overshadowed or diminished in importance, as corroborated by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. The phrase conveys a sense of decline or overshadowing, with alternatives like "be overshadowed" and "be surpassed" offering similar meanings. When using "be eclipsed", ensure the passive voice is appropriate and that the subject is indeed receiving the action. Remember to favour "be eclipsed by" over "be eclipsed from" to specify what causes the overshadowing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be overshadowed

Focuses on the act of something becoming less prominent due to another thing gaining more attention.

be surpassed

Highlights the act of exceeding or outdoing something in achievement or quality.

be overshadowed by

Similar to "be overshadowed" but explicitly indicates what is causing the diminishment.

be outshone

Emphasizes the idea of being less impressive or radiant compared to something else.

be superseded

Suggests being replaced or rendered obsolete by something newer or more effective.

be overshadowed in

Specifies the area or aspect in which something is becoming less significant.

be diminished

Focuses on the reduction in importance, status, or reputation.

be obscured

Highlights the act of being hidden or made unclear, either literally or figuratively.

be marginalized

Suggests being pushed to the periphery or treated as less important.

fade into obscurity

Emphasizes the gradual loss of recognition or importance over time.

FAQs

How can I use "be eclipsed" in a sentence?

The phrase "be eclipsed" is used to describe something being overshadowed or losing importance. For example, "His achievements were soon "overshadowed" by his later failures" or "The small company's success was "eclipsed by" the giant corporation's dominance".

What are some alternatives to "be eclipsed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be overshadowed", "be outshone", "be surpassed", or "fade into obscurity". Consider the nuance you want to convey when choosing an alternative.

Which is correct, "be eclipsed by" or "be eclipsed from"?

"Be eclipsed by" is the correct and more common usage. It indicates what is causing the overshadowing. "Be eclipsed from" is rarely used and doesn't convey the intended meaning as effectively.

What is the difference between "be eclipsed" and "become eclipsed"?

"Be eclipsed" describes a state of being overshadowed, while "become eclipsed" describes the process of transitioning into that state. For example, "His fame began to "become eclipsed" after the scandal broke" (the process), versus "His reputation was quickly "eclipsed" by the scandal" (the state).