obscure details

USAGE SUMMARY

"obscure details" is a perfectly valid term in written English.
You can use it when referring to details that are unknown or hard to ascertain. For example, "The police investigations into the mysterious disappearance of the victim uncovered some obscure details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Mr Nesbo provides us with maps of Oslo and obscure details of Norwegian history.

The Economist

"Durbar" is peppered with anecdotes and obscure details about India's first family.

The New York Times

Obscure details lost to time, overpainting and subsequent restorations were brought to the fore.

The New York Times - Arts

Its leaders and citizens must move beyond the euphoria of reform and address the seemingly obscure details of electoral rules.

The New York Times

Skirmishes take place al over town, & the most obscure details of the huge, sprawling battle are made available to strangers.

The New Yorker

This is a good example of politicians using obscure details of the budgetary process to score political points.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Wider bins may obscure detail while narrower bins may have too few counts, causing interpolation errors.

Harvard University

This summer, when finalizing an obscure detail of a new rule, Mr. Gensler missed a dinner party for his sister.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, in a session with reporters, he almost jumped out of his seat with eagerness to clear up an erroneous assumption about an obscure detail.

The New York Times

Mr. Gore scours the newspapers and, often several times a day, will cut out an obscure detail or paragraph and hand it to an aide with instructions.

The New York Times

Teacher evaluations, long an obscure detail in an educator's career, have moved front and center as school systems try to identify which teachers are best at improving student achievement, and to remove ineffective ones.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obscure details" to add depth and complexity to your writing, especially when exploring historical events, scientific concepts, or character development in fiction.

Common error

Avoid using "obscure details" without providing enough context or explanation. If the details are too obscure and unexplained, the reader may become confused or disinterested. Always balance the level of detail with the reader's ability to follow the narrative or argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure details" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "obscure" modifies the noun "details". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It describes specific pieces of information that are not well-known or easily understood. The examples in Ludwig show it used across various contexts, emphasizing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Books

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obscure details" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes information that is not widely known or easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility, highlighting its frequent appearance in News & Media, Science, and Books. Usage ranges from neutral to formal, depending on the context, and it serves to add depth, complexity, or mystery to writing. When using this phrase, be sure to provide adequate context for your readers to understand the relevance of these lesser-known facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

little-known facts

Focuses on the aspect of the details being not widely known.

unclear specifics

Highlights the lack of clarity and precision in the details.

hidden aspects

Emphasizes the concealed or not easily visible nature of the details.

arcane elements

Stresses the esoteric or specialized nature of the details.

esoteric information

Indicates that the information is known only to a few.

complex nuances

Shifts the focus to the intricate and subtle nature of the details.

subtle intricacies

Emphasizes the delicate and refined nature of the details.

confusing particulars

Highlights the perplexing or baffling nature of the details.

unintelligible fragments

Focuses on the incomprehensible and incomplete nature of the details.

enigmatic features

Emphasizes the mysterious and puzzling character of the details.

FAQs

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

You can use "obscure details" to refer to little-known or difficult-to-understand information. For example, "The historian's research uncovered some "obscure details" about the king's personal life."

What are some alternatives to using "obscure details"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "little-known facts", "unclear specifics", or "hidden aspects".

Is it better to use "obscure details" or "vague information"?

"Obscure details" implies that the information exists but is not easily found or understood, whereas "vague information" suggests that the information is not clear or precise. The choice depends on whether the information is inherently difficult to uncover or simply lacks clarity.

What makes details "obscure"?

Details can be considered "obscure" because they are not widely known, require specialized knowledge to understand, or are deliberately hidden or difficult to access. They often add depth and complexity when they are brought to light.