is overshadowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is overshadowed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It describes the state of being less important or noticeable compared to something else. Example: The good news of the company's growth is overshadowed by the CEO's scandal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Their piety is overshadowed by materialist ticky-tack.

The New York Times

Pelayo's historical personality is overshadowed by his legend.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is overshadowed in the Western Athletic Conference by Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, and he is overshadowed at the mall by the food court.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, it is overshadowed by those accompanying duck-fat fries, as large as a giant's thumb.

The New York Times

Once again, any incremental progress the N.C.A.A. attempts to make in regards to reform is overshadowed.

The New York Times - Sports

This time, they are so strong that even the ending of a war is overshadowed.

The New Yorker

"This trip is overshadowed by Nelson Mandela's illness," said Justice Malala, a political commentator and columnist.

The New York Times

Yet, strangely, Hitler is overshadowed as a character by the more vividly realized personalities around him.

The New Yorker

But the Buxton Festival is overshadowed by better-known events in Britain, like Glyndebourne and Edinburgh.

The New York Times - Arts

Jang-jo-rim, a soy-braised beef, is overshadowed by exquisitely buttery rice.

The New Yorker

"In Iraq, that is overshadowed by tribe, imam, family and ethnicity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is overshadowed" to clearly indicate when one thing is less prominent or important than another. This helps create a sense of hierarchy or relative significance within your writing.

Common error

While "is overshadowed" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. Ensure active voice is used where appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The event was overshadowed by the scandal", consider "The scandal overshadowed the event."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is overshadowed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is being made less prominent or significant by something else. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is overshadowed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something is made less important or noticeable due to the presence of something else. With its common usage in news, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to professional register. Common errors include overusing the passive voice, which can be mitigated by opting for active voice where appropriate. Consider alternatives like "is eclipsed" or "is dominated" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is overshadowed

Implies being less significant due to the presence of something more important.

is eclipsed

Similar in meaning, focusing on the idea of being obscured or surpassed.

is eclipsed

Emphasizes the action of obscuring something by surpassing it.

is outshone

Focuses on the idea of being less impressive or brilliant in comparison.

is dominated

Indicates a stronger sense of control or influence exerted by something else.

is dwarfed

Indicates a significant difference in size or importance.

is cast into the shade

A more figurative way of saying something is made less noticeable.

is put in the background

Highlights a shift in focus or importance away from the subject.

is marginalized

Suggests being pushed to the side and treated as less important.

is superseded

Implies being replaced or made obsolete by something newer or better.

FAQs

How can I use "is overshadowed" in a sentence?

You can use "is overshadowed" to indicate that something is less noticeable or important because of something else. For example, "The team's success "is overshadowed" by the recent scandal".

What are some alternatives to "is overshadowed"?

Some alternatives include "is eclipsed", "is dominated", or "is outshone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "is overshadowed"?

While "is overshadowed" is in the passive voice and grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your sentence more direct and impactful. Consider rephrasing to use the active voice if appropriate, but the passive construction is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "is overshadowed" and "is eclipsed"?

While similar, ""is overshadowed"" generally implies a broader sense of diminished importance, while "is eclipsed" often suggests a more complete or dramatic obscuring.