needs to be obscured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be obscured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that should be hidden or made less visible for privacy, security, or aesthetic reasons. Example: "In the final report, any sensitive information needs to be obscured to protect the identities of the individuals involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

To find them, the SEC alleged, Paulson's intentions needed to be obscured.

The Economist

The magic that draws eggheads to certain books tends to get bludgeoned by theory, jargon and the need to be obscure.

The Economist

More than 250 of such groups signed a statement last month saying that "falsehoods" about sex abuse perpetuated by conservative lawmakers were causing the needs of rape survivors to be "obscured in order to push a political agenda that does nothing to serve and protect victims and potential victims".

Huffington Post

They therefore deserve to be obscured.

The Economist

Pay attention to your hands, and make sure you're effectively hiding the coin when it needs to be hidden, obscuring the string when you're sealing the wax, and so on.

WikiHow

The mechanism of having normal haemoglobin in FD with ESRD is obscure and needs to be investigated.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

All that was true, but focusing on such outrages can obscure what needs to be done.

The New York Times

"Any intergenerational rebalancing needs to be underpinned by understanding rather than obscuring the huge and growing socio-economic inequalities in our society.

BBC

We have a right to be obscure.

The Guardian - Tech

The men he became were never obscure, and in time he himself ceased to be obscure.

The New Yorker

I didn't decide to be obscure, to confuse people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When dealing with sensitive data, ensure that information that could identify individuals or compromise security "needs to be obscured". This includes redacting names, addresses, and other personal details.

Common error

Avoid obscuring so much information that the underlying message or data becomes meaningless. Ensure that while sensitive elements are hidden, the essential context remains clear and understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be obscured" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that an action (obscuring) is required or necessary for a particular subject. It highlights the requirement for concealment or making something less visible.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be obscured" expresses the necessity of concealing or making something unclear. While it has a neutral tone, the context often dictates the specific reason for the concealment, whether for privacy, security, or strategic advantage. Although "needs to be obscured" is grammatically correct and understandable, it's important to consider the level of formality required and adjust the wording accordingly, as Ludwig AI underlines. Given the absence of examples found, this phrase might not be as common, but it remains valid and useful in appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be concealed

Emphasizes a recommendation or obligation for concealment.

must be hidden

Indicates a strict requirement for something to be hidden.

ought to be veiled

Suggests a moral or practical obligation to cover or conceal.

has to be masked

Highlights the necessity of disguising or covering something up.

requires obfuscation

Emphasizes a technical or deliberate act of making something unclear or unintelligible.

demands concealment

Implies a strong need or requirement for something to be kept secret.

should be camouflaged

Suggests blending something in with its surroundings to hide it.

is required to be cloaked

Indicates a formal or essential need for something to be covered or concealed.

necessitates a cover-up

Highlights that a situation needs deliberate action of hiding facts or actions.

warrants being shrouded

Suggests something deserves to be covered or concealed, often for protective reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be obscured" in a sentence?

You can use "needs to be obscured" to indicate that something requires concealment or to be made less clear. For example, "In the final report, any sensitive information "needs to be obscured" to protect the identities of the individuals involved."

What are some alternatives to "needs to be obscured"?

Alternatives include "should be concealed", "must be hidden", or "ought to be veiled", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to say something "needs to be obscured"?

It's appropriate when discussing privacy, security, or situations where transparency might be detrimental. For instance, details about a security protocol "needs to be obscured" to prevent exploitation.

Is "needs to be obscured" formal or informal?

"Needs to be obscured" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "requires obfuscation" or "demands concealment" for added emphasis.