fallen into obscurity

USAGE SUMMARY

"fallen into obscurity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about something or someone that has become less well-known or unnoticed due to the passage of time. For example, "The once-popular TV show has fallen into obscurity over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

In fact, he has almost entirely fallen into obscurity.

The New York Times - Arts

Housing one of the world's greatest small-picture collections, this dowdy gallery had fallen into obscurity.

The Economist

The works of the Venetian composer Domenico Dragonetti have largely fallen into obscurity.

The New York Times - Arts

I've fallen into obscurity and I can't get up!" January 25 , 2018

The New Yorker

By this date his earlier work had largely fallen into obscurity.

The Guardian - Arts

The culinary traditions of the peasants had likewise fallen into obscurity, as had the intricate fusion of Russian and French cuisines favored by the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Unlike his other writings, it soon fell into obscurity.

The New York Times

After Freud's success, Janet's work fell into obscurity.

The New Yorker

When Cahun and Moore had decamped for Jersey, Cahun and her work fell into obscurity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once the "The Spy Who Loved Me" left the theaters, the Lotus quickly fell into obscurity.

The New York Times

Schulhoff's music, like that of many of his colleagues, fell into obscurity after the war.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase when you want to add a slightly melancholic or reflective tone to your writing, highlighting the ephemeral nature of fame or importance.

Common error

Avoid using "fallen into obscurity" to describe something that was never widely known or prominent to begin with. This phrase is most effective when there is a clear contrast between past recognition and current lack of recognition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fallen into obscurity" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as a predicate adjective following a linking verb (e.g., has, have, had). It describes the state of something or someone no longer being well-known or prominent. As per Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fallen into obscurity" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something or someone that has lost prominence or recognition over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is a correct and usable English expression. It is frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and other sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. Alternatives like "faded into obscurity" or "slipped into oblivion" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When using the phrase, ensure that the subject was indeed once well-known to maintain accuracy and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faded into obscurity

Suggests a gradual loss of visibility, implying a slow decline in recognition.

slipped into oblivion

Emphasizes a complete loss of memory or recognition.

vanished from memory

Focuses on the disappearance of something from people's recollections.

receded into the background

Indicates a movement away from prominence, suggesting something is no longer at the forefront.

become forgotten

Directly states the state of being no longer remembered.

been consigned to oblivion

Suggests an active process of pushing something into a state of being forgotten.

passed into oblivion

Implies a transition into a state of being completely forgotten.

become a distant memory

Conveys a sense of something being far removed from current awareness.

lost to the annals of history

Highlights the disappearance of something from historical records.

entered into oblivion

Suggests a deliberate movement into a state of being forgotten.

FAQs

How can I use "fallen into obscurity" in a sentence?

You can use "fallen into obscurity" to describe something or someone that was once well-known but is now largely forgotten. For example, "The silent film star had "faded into obscurity" over the decades."

What are some alternative ways to say "fallen into obscurity"?

Some alternatives include "slipped into oblivion", "vanished from memory", or "receded into the background". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "fall into obscurity" or "fallen into obscurity"?

"Fallen into obscurity" is the past participle form, often used in perfect tenses (e.g., "has fallen"). "Fall into obscurity" is the base form, used in simple present or future tenses (e.g., "will fall").

What's the difference between "fallen into obscurity" and "become forgotten"?

"Fallen into obscurity" implies a decline from a state of being known or famous, whereas "become forgotten" simply means that something is no longer remembered. The former carries a stronger sense of loss of prominence.