obscure article

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obscure article" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an article or piece of writing that is difficult to understand or that contains complex and obscure language. Example: The academic journal was filled with obscure articles that only a few experts in the field could fully comprehend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Such maneuvering makes naturalism an obscure article of faith.

The New York Times

Now, under an obscure article of the Lisbon treaty, it is being revived in the European Parliament.

The Economist

In debates in the house he can throw barbs at Labour MPs that he has picked up from some obscure article in the Independent on Sunday.

The Guardian

In a meeting, she once recalled, unprompted, an obscure article about diplomacy in tough places written by a young foreign-service officer who twice served in Iraq, Aaron D. Snipe.

The New York Times

Prosecutors are exploiting an obscure article in the criminal code meant to prevent workers from being pressured into striking, said Ignacio Fernández Toxo, who heads the Workers Commissionn trade union.

The Guardian

This refers not to any national goals expressed by the crumbling Qing dynasty in 1908 but to an apparently obscure article published in Tianjin that year — unearthed, it seems, through a heroic bit of applied research.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is the obscure articles — the dead-end streets and industrial districts, if you will — where more mayhem can be committed.

The New York Times

After all, I didn't spend all those years reading obscure articles and studying literary theory just to give up right away.

Huffington Post

Gays, it seemed to me then, had and always would lead the way and all this despite the obscure articles I'd seen in newspapers discussing something called "gay cancer".

Vice

One of Jonathan's constant critiques of me was that I didn't keep up with the news enough, but I wondered if he wasn't overinformed, deep-diving into obscure articles and message boards, seeing connections that weren't there.

Vice

There are many templates not used much, so they are not listed on this page; they are buried in obscure articles.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "obscure article", ensure you provide context or details about why the article is considered obscure. Is it due to complex language, limited distribution, or niche subject matter?

Common error

Avoid using "obscure article" as a vague descriptor. Always specify what makes the article obscure: is it the subject matter, the writing style, the publication venue, or its lack of visibility?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure article" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where the adjective "obscure" modifies the noun "article". It describes a particular quality of the article, indicating that it is not well-known or easily understood. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obscure article" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe a piece of writing that is not well-known or easily understood. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It functions as an adjective-noun phrase, serving the purpose of providing descriptive information and highlighting the article's lack of prominence or clarity. While found across various contexts, it is most frequent in News & Media. To enhance clarity in writing, it's best to provide specific reasons for an article's obscurity rather than using the term vaguely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

little-known piece

Focuses on the lack of widespread knowledge about the article.

unclear article

Highlights the difficulty in understanding the article's content.

recondite writing

Emphasizes the deep and abstruse nature of the writing.

esoteric essay

Suggests the article is intended for or understood by only a small number of people with specialized knowledge.

rare publication

Focuses on the limited availability or circulation of the article.

lesser-known study

Emphasizes the lack of recognition for the research presented in the article.

inconspicuous paper

Highlights the article's lack of visibility or prominence.

murky document

Highlights that the content is not fully expressed or clear.

indistinct report

Highlights that the content is not precise.

hard-to-find article

Focuses on the difficulty in locating or accessing the article.

FAQs

How can I use "obscure article" in a sentence?

You can use "obscure article" to describe a piece of writing that is not well-known or difficult to understand, like: "The historian cited an "obscure article" from the 19th century to support his claim."

What's a better way to say "obscure article"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "little-known piece", "unclear article", or "recondite writing".

Is it okay to use "obscure" to describe academic writing?

Yes, it is acceptable to describe academic writing as "obscure" if it is highly specialized, uses complex language, or is not easily accessible to a general audience.

What makes an article "obscure"?

An article can be considered "obscure" due to its limited distribution, complex subject matter, specialized language, or publication in a lesser-known journal or source.