brought about obscurity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brought about obscurity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that has led to confusion or lack of clarity. Example: "The sudden changes in policy brought about obscurity regarding the company's future direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

While the comments by Andrea Leadsom linking one's ability to serve as an effective prime minister to also being a parent undoubtedly generated controversy (Leadsom's rise and fall: obscurity to also-ran in a few gaffes, 12 July), they arguably did not bring about debate.

The Guardian

They bring about truth.

BBC

This obscurity, he long maintained, was brought about through the combined efforts of Sinatra, with whom he had an enduring feud, and local underworld figures, who, when they weren't weeping along to his sentimental Italian hits, were, he often said, threatening him with a hit of another kind.

The New York Times

What brought about these changes?

The New York Times

What brought about this change?

The New York Times

Dense populations brought about epidemics.

Geriatrics and Gerontology International

Emerging infections are often caused by pathogens present in the environment but brought out of obscurity and given a selective advantage or the opportunity to infect new populations by changing conditions.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"It sounds inevitable," said Floridi, pointing out that the original obscurity-requester in Spain has now become a public figure owing to his role in bringing about the ECJ ruling.

TechCrunch

Obesity brings about chronic disease.

The New York Times

Reformers bring about a change.

SEP

That brings about boredom.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brought about obscurity" when you want to emphasize the action that directly led to something becoming unclear or unknown. Be mindful of the context; ensure it logically follows that the action caused the obscurity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "brought about obscurity". Instead of saying "Obscurity was brought about by...", try phrasing it actively: "... brought about obscurity". This often results in clearer and more impactful writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought about obscurity" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. It describes a causal relationship where an action or event leads to a state of being unclear, unknown, or forgotten. Although Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct, the examples provided show this phrase is not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brought about obscurity" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation where an action results in something becoming unclear or forgotten. According to Ludwig AI, this is an acceptable phrase, but the examples provided suggest it is not frequently used. Although the phrase is understood by the AI to be acceptable, it's more suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reporting and academic discussions. Consider more common alternatives such as "led to obscurity" or "caused to be forgotten" for improved clarity and impact. When crafting your writing, be mindful of passive voice constructions to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

led to obscurity

Focuses on the act of leading to a state of being unknown or forgotten, similar to causing it.

resulted in obscurity

Highlights the outcome or consequence of an action, emphasizing the state of being obscure as a result.

caused to be forgotten

Directly implies that something was made to be forgotten or overlooked.

consigned to oblivion

Emphasizes a more forceful or permanent removal from memory or attention.

relegated to the shadows

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate that something was pushed to the background or made less prominent.

made unclear

Focuses on the action of making something unclear or difficult to understand.

obscured from view

Emphasizes the act of hiding something from sight or understanding.

pushed into the background

Suggests a deliberate action of downplaying something or making it less noticeable.

buried in oblivion

Indicates a complete and irreversible state of being forgotten.

shrouded in mystery

Implies that something has become mysterious and difficult to understand, often intentionally.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "brought about obscurity" for clarity?

Consider alternatives like "led to obscurity", "caused to be forgotten", or "made unclear" depending on the specific context. Each option subtly shifts the emphasis.

Is it better to use "brought about obscurity" or "caused obscurity"?

"Caused obscurity" is more direct and concise. "Brought about obscurity" can be used when you want to emphasize the process or action that resulted in the obscurity, although it might sound more formal.

What are some contexts where "brought about obscurity" is most appropriate?

This phrase is suitable in academic or formal writing where you need to describe the causal relationship between an action and a resulting lack of clarity or understanding. It can also be employed when something is deliberately hidden or forgotten.

What's the difference between "brought about obscurity" and "fell into obscurity"?

"Brought about obscurity" implies an external force or action caused something to become obscure, while "fell into obscurity" suggests a natural or gradual decline into being unknown or forgotten. Consider this: "The scandal "brought about obscurity" for the politician" vs. "The ancient civilization "fell into obscurity" over centuries".