it was blurry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was blurry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not clear or is difficult to see, often referring to images, vision, or memories. Example: "When I looked at the photo, I realized it was blurry and needed to be retaken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was blurry, but it came up".

The New York Times

"You know, I actually don't know, because it was so far away and it was blurry.

The Guardian

[On pushing a loaded shopping trolley across a road] You know I actually don't know because it was so far away and it was blurry.

The Guardian

So it was blurry.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It's blurry".

The New Yorker

It's blurry after that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She loves the clicking sound, and if it's blurry, she knows how to delete it".

The New York Times

It still lurks in the distance, but it's blurry, out of focus.

The New York Times

Ernst covered his left eye with his left hand and said, "If I do this, it's blurry".

The New York Times - Sports

"I said: 'I'm O.K. It's blurry, but I'm O.K.' He asked if I wanted to continue and I said, 'I want to fight, but I see blurry.' "I walked out, he called me back for some reason.

The New York Times - Sports

It's short, it's blurry, it doesn't tell us anything about the game, but this teaser for EA's forthcoming FPS sequel, Battlefield 3, will still send a frisson of excitement up the spines of military shooter fans.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was blurry" to describe visual experiences or images that lack sharpness and detail. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it was blurry" when the lack of clarity is due to a different reason, such as poor understanding or intentional obfuscation. In these cases, consider phrases like "it was unclear" or "it was confusing" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was blurry" functions as a descriptive statement. It attributes the quality of being unclear or lacking focus to a specific subject (represented by "it"). As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was blurry" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to depict a lack of visual clarity. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to describe images, memories, or situations that lack sharpness or are difficult to discern. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to and consider alternatives like "it was unclear" if the lack of clarity stems from reasons beyond visual perception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was out of focus

Replaces "blurry" with a more technical term for visual clarity.

it was fuzzy

Similar to blurry, but can also refer to sound.

it was indistinct

Emphasizes the lack of clear definition.

it was ill-defined

Highlights the lack of clear boundaries or details.

it lacked definition

Focuses on the absence of clear lines or shapes.

it was hazy

Suggests a lack of clarity due to atmospheric conditions or obstruction.

it was unclear

A more general term for lack of clarity, not necessarily visual.

it was vague

Indicates a lack of specificity or detail.

the details were obscured

Highlights that clarity is lost because details are hidden or not easily seen.

it was barely visible

Emphasizes the difficulty in seeing something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was blurry"?

You can use alternatives like "it was out of focus", "it was indistinct", or "it was unclear" depending on the context.

How do I use "it was blurry" in a sentence?

Use "it was blurry" to describe something that lacks visual clarity, such as "The photo was taken at night, so "it was blurry"".

Is "it was blurry" formal or informal?

"It was blurry" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific situation will influence its appropriateness.

What's the difference between "it was blurry" and "it was fuzzy"?

While similar, "blurry" primarily refers to a lack of visual sharpness, whereas "fuzzy" can also describe a texture or sound that lacks clarity. You can use "it was fuzzy" to indicate an image or thing where details are not clearly seen.