it was obstructed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was obstructed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something was blocked or hindered from proceeding or functioning properly. Example: "The road was closed due to construction, and it was obstructed by heavy machinery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Instead, it was obstructed from the very beginning.

The New Yorker

Anti-slavery groups claim they are regularly harassed by the authorities, and one organisation said that during Ruteere's visit to Kaédi, a town in southern Mauritania, it was obstructed from introducing victims of slavery to the UN delegation.

The Guardian

It was noted to be in poor condition in 1452, and a report for the Commissioners of Sewers in 1617 suggested that much of it was obstructed by mills which had been built on the banks.

Wikipedia

I looked at the Bandl's ring, then I realized it was obstructed labor".

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

In 10 cases, the end of the nasogastric tube was in the esophagus and in five cases it was obstructed.

Critical Care

The tube was placed behind the optic of the IOL; it was obstructed by the IOL, which increased the IOP (Fig.  3).

BMC Ophthalmology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That something was our swing set, and it was obstructing their bathroom view.

The New York Times

He found that the arteries were riddled with plaque, but almost none of it was obstructing blood vessels.

The New York Times

The trooper asked Margaret Greer, a 57-year-old portfolio manager, to move her Mercedes because it was obstructing a bus lane.

The New York Times

The police account alleged that Macia, 27, a taxi driver from Mozambique, assaulted an officer and took his firearm after officers asked him to move his taxi because it was obstructing traffic.

The Guardian

The police insisted it was obstructing traffic and curiously figured dragging the driver behind their car in public was fair punishment.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was obstructed", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was obstructed" when a weaker term like "delayed" or "slowed" more accurately reflects the situation. "Obstructed" implies a significant blockage or hindrance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was obstructed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (represented by "it") experienced an action that hindered its progress or function. Ludwig confirms this usage through multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was obstructed" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe situations where something is blocked or hindered. Ludwig AI confirms that it can be effectively used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While not exceedingly common, its meaning is clear, and it's often interchangeable with synonyms like "it was blocked" or "it was hindered". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly identifying what "it" refers to, and carefully consider the degree of obstruction to ensure the term accurately reflects the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was blocked

Replaces "obstructed" with a more direct synonym, implying a complete stoppage.

it was hindered

Suggests a slowing down or impediment, rather than a complete blockage.

it was impeded

Similar to 'hindered', but can also suggest a more formal or official obstruction.

it was hampered

Implies difficulty or inconvenience caused by the obstruction.

it was disrupted

Focuses on the interruption or disturbance caused by the obstruction.

it was thwarted

Suggests a deliberate attempt to prevent something from happening.

it was prevented

Highlights the fact that something was stopped before it could occur.

it was suppressed

Implies that the obstruction was forceful and intended to silence or control.

it was curtailed

Focuses on the reduction or limitation caused by the obstruction.

it was stonewalled

Suggests that the obstruction was intentional, usually through evasive or delaying tactics.

FAQs

What does "it was obstructed" mean?

The phrase "it was obstructed" means that something was blocked, hindered, or prevented from proceeding or functioning as intended.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was blocked", "it was hindered", or "it was impeded" depending on the context.

Is "it was obstructed" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was obstructed" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the surrounding language may influence the overall tone.

How to use "it was obstructed" in a sentence?

You can use "it was obstructed" to describe situations where progress or movement is hindered, for example: "The view was obstructed by the building", or "The investigation was obstructed by a lack of evidence".