masked by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "masked by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is concealed or hidden by another element or factor. Example: "The true intentions of the proposal were masked by overly optimistic projections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

2. Uncertainty masked by arrogance.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Many banks' weaknesses are simply being masked by government guarantees.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The labor shortage has been masked by recession," he said.

The New York Times

Sometimes they are masked by spraying with other substances.

The Guardian

The problem is masked by the industry's rapid expansion.

The Economist

A sputtering offense masked by a stingy defense.

The New York Times

The transport of women for prostitution was masked by its description as "travel dates".

The New York Times

So, a second question is whether the learning is masked by language issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is a real challenge, masked by a great deal of hype".

The New York Times

Substantial technical shortcomings masked by amplification are laid bare in a more conventional classical setting.

The New York Times - Arts

He adds: "The Indian past was masked by the Spanish conquest.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "masked by", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates both what is being hidden and what is doing the hiding. For example: "The company's financial troubles were masked by a surge in sales."

Common error

Avoid using "masked by" in a way that obscures what is actually doing the masking. The sentence should make it clear which element is concealing the other, preventing ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "masked by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is being concealed or obscured by another element. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples from news articles and scientific papers illustrate its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

58%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "masked by" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe the concealment or obscuration of something by another factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using "masked by", ensure clarity in indicating both the concealed and the concealing elements. Alternatives include "obscured by" or "hidden by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. It's a common phrase but ensure to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obscured by

Focuses on making something less visible or clear, similar to masking.

veiled by

Suggests a more subtle form of covering, like a veil.

concealed by

Highlights the act of hiding something intentionally.

hidden by

Emphasizes the state of being out of sight or knowledge.

covered by

Implies a physical covering or overlay.

disguised by

Indicates an alteration of appearance to mislead.

overshadowed by

Suggests something being less noticeable due to prominence of something else.

eclipsed by

Implies a reduction in importance due to something else.

blanketed by

Suggests a comprehensive covering, like a blanket.

camouflaged by

Implies blending in with the surroundings to avoid detection.

FAQs

How to use "masked by" in a sentence?

Use "masked by" to indicate that something is being concealed or hidden by something else. For instance, "His nervousness was masked by a confident smile."

What can I say instead of "masked by"?

You can use alternatives like "obscured by", "concealed by", or "hidden by" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "masked by" or "covered by"?

Both "masked by" and "covered by" are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Masked by" suggests concealment, while "covered by" indicates a physical covering. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "masked by" and "disguised by"?

"Masked by" implies that something is hidden or concealed, whereas "disguised by" suggests that something's appearance has been altered to mislead. For example, “The data was masked by errors” versus “The spy was disguised by a fake beard”.