obscure double

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obscure double" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not easily understood or is ambiguous, particularly in contexts like literature, art, or language. Example: "The poem's obscure double meaning left readers puzzled and eager to interpret its true significance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When a Swiss official asks to see the woman's passport, the mother "begins jabbering in obscure double-talk," and when he turns his attention to Victoria, who doesn't have her passport, she "pretends to jabber, too, in a language exactly like theirs".

The New Yorker

I followed the bike lane (often obscured by double-parked cars) and the small signs guiding me to a promised greenway in the distance.

The New York Times

He uses a second set of 100 obscure names to double check his work.

Huffington Post

Basophils are the least numerous of the granulocytes, and their large granules almost completely obscure the underlying double-lobed nucleus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And under the immense bales, obscured and bent double by the size of their loads, are Moroccan women.

BBC

Banerjee's readers recognized the daily travails of characters like the book's narrator, Brighu Sen, a young urbanite and self-described collector in search of an obscure book, James Watson's "Double Helix," or Digital Dutta, a Marxist computer engineer in pursuit of a visa to work in the United States.

The New Yorker

The acoustical fix on opening night tended toward the shrill, putting the treble instruments in the foreground and obscuring the cellos and double basses, and this arrangement continued during the Boston Symphony's concert, on Monday night.

The New Yorker

Now that the Federal Reserve admits, though in its typically obscure linguistic constructs, that a double-dip recession is becoming increasingly likely, Bernanke is going to enter a buying binge of long-term U.S. Treasuries.

Huffington Post

Second, the AE protein HIM-3 can tether sisters in pachytene nuclei independently of REC-8 in both rec-8 single and spo-11 rec-8 double mutants, thereby obscuring the role of DSBs in establishing COH-3/4-mediated SCC.

eLife

Scrambling across the clay in the fourth set, Vince Spadea found himself in the doubles alley of an obscure court today, on the edge of disappearing from a tournament, in a position of desperation.

The New York Times - Sports

The primary and most thoroughly validated indication to double-balloon endoscopy is obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, for which this procedure has high diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy and appears to be safe.

Techniques in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obscure double", ensure the context clearly indicates what is both obscure and doubled. This will enhance clarity and prevent misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "obscure double" to describe situations that are merely complex or complicated, as it specifically implies a lack of clarity coupled with a duplicated or twofold aspect. Be precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure double" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that is both unclear or not easily understood (obscure) and has a duplicated or twofold quality (double). According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obscure double" is used to describe something unclear with a twofold or duplicated nature. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and acceptable in written English. It often appears in neutral to formal contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias, highlighting a blend of mystery and duality. Related phrases include "ambiguous pair" and "enigmatic duo". A key writing tip is to ensure clarity when employing the phrase, specifying exactly what is both obscure and doubled to prevent misinterpretations. While not frequently used, "obscure double" serves a specific purpose in conveying complex and hidden dualities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ambiguous pair

Focuses on ambiguity rather than obscurity, but retains the idea of two elements.

enigmatic duo

Replaces "obscure" with "enigmatic", emphasizing mystery, while keeping the concept of a pair.

vague duplication

Highlights the lack of clarity and the act of duplicating something.

hidden twofold

Emphasizes concealment and the dual nature of something.

unclear dualism

Focuses on the lack of clarity and the concept of duality or two opposing aspects.

shadowy replica

Highlights the elusive and replicated nature of something.

indistinct mirroring

Focuses on the unclear reflection or replication of something.

blurred duplication

Highlights the lack of sharpness and the act of duplicating something.

mysterious doubling

Replaces "obscure" with "mysterious", emphasizing the puzzling nature of something being doubled.

veiled duplication

Emphasizes the hidden or covered nature of duplicating something.

FAQs

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

You can use "obscure double" to describe situations where something is unclear and has a dual or twofold nature. For example, "The plot twist involved an obscure double identity that no one suspected."

What does "obscure double" mean?

"Obscure double" describes something that is not easily understood and involves a duplication or a twofold aspect. It suggests a hidden or unclear duality.

What are some alternatives to "obscure double"?

Alternatives include "ambiguous pair", "enigmatic duo", or "vague duplication", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is "obscure double" grammatically correct?

Yes, "obscure double" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to describe something unclear with a duplicated or twofold aspect. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.