it was opaque

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was opaque" is grammatically correct and is often used in written English.
It can be used to describe an object, situation, or concept that is unclear, difficult to understand, or lacking in transparency. Example: "The politician's explanation for his decision was opaque, leaving many confused and skeptical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And I felt so happy; the why of it was opaque to me.

The New Yorker

And it was opaque trading of arcane derivatives that sent the industry spiralling out of control.

The Guardian - Business

It was 'the Fed, the Fed, the Fed.' It was everything from people who were concerned about the debasing of the currency, to the idea that it wasn't audited, to the idea that it was opaque, to conspiracy theories".

The New Yorker

By the time it was pumped into Lake Pontchartrain, it was opaque, slimy, and so full of chemicals that the vapors stung my eyes and raised little white bumps on my skin.

The New Yorker

Furthermore, in some cases the purpose of the hand motor act was transparent, while in others it was opaque and could be only guessed.

Plosone

In line with these findings, another cross-modal semantic priming study showed that the first constituents of German spoken compounds primed visually presented targets only when the second constituent was transparent, but not when it was opaque, suggesting that activation of both constituents is dependent on the transparency of the second constituent (Isel et al., 2003).

Brain and Language

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For starters, it is opaque and confusing.

The New York Times - Science

It's opaque, or worse than opaque.

The Guardian - Business

Instead, it is opaque, not open.

The Guardian - Sport

The honours list is anything but transparent – it's opaque".

Independent

It is opaque, round and a little oaky.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was opaque", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what you're describing as unclear or non-transparent.

Common error

Avoid using "it was opaque" without establishing what "it" represents. Without clear context, the phrase becomes vague and fails to effectively communicate the intended meaning. Ensure a clear antecedent is provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was opaque" functions as a descriptive statement, where "it" serves as a pronoun referring to a previously mentioned subject, "was" acts as a linking verb, and "opaque" functions as an adjective describing the state or quality of the subject. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was opaque" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a lack of clarity or transparency. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing various examples of its usage across different contexts. While the phrase can be employed in both formal and informal settings, it tends to be more prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure that the referent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "it was unclear" or "it was obscure" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity or definition.

it was obscure

Highlights the hidden or vague nature.

it was vague

Emphasizes the lack of precision or detail.

it was mysterious

Suggests an element of intrigue or the unknown.

it was incomprehensible

Stresses the inability to understand.

it was impenetrable

Highlights the difficulty in accessing or understanding.

it was unintelligible

Focuses on the inability to make sense of it.

it was ambiguous

Emphasizes the potential for multiple interpretations.

it was cryptic

Suggests a hidden or secret meaning.

it was blurred

Focuses on the lack of clear definition, similar to something physically obscured.

FAQs

How can I use "it was opaque" in a sentence?

You can use "it was opaque" to describe something that is unclear, difficult to understand, or non-transparent. For example, "The explanation "it was opaque", leaving us more confused than before."

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

Alternatives include "it was unclear", "it was obscure", or "it was vague" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "it was opaque" or "it is opaque"?

Both are correct, but they refer to different time frames. "It was opaque" describes something that was unclear in the past, while "it is opaque" describes something that is currently unclear.

What's the difference between "it was opaque" and "it was transparent"?

"It was opaque" means something was not see-through or easy to understand, while "it was transparent" means it was clear and easily understood.