obscured by time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obscured by time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has become unclear or difficult to understand due to the passage of time. Example: "The details of the ancient civilization are largely obscured by time, leaving historians to piece together fragments of its history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The origins of the 1,500 meters (120 yards less than a mile) are somewhat obscured by time and lack of interest.

The New York Times - Sports

Though the fact has been largely obscured by time, the majority of sportswriters in the late 1960's thought the more popular and outgoing Willie Mays -- "cherry-red satin" to Aaron's "gray flannel," Stanton writes -- would be the man to pass Ruth.

The New York Times - Books

Much of the larger picture has been obscured by time.

The New York Times - Arts

Their terra-cottas give evidence of having been buried and exhumed repeatedly, for reasons obscured by time.

The New Yorker

After more than 50 years she takes him in, but the emotional and genealogical truth of their relationship has been obscured by time and distance.

The New York Times

Extended time benefits only those children who need more time to process the questions, thus permitting them to demonstrate intellectual abilities that are otherwise obscured by time constraints devised for the general population.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The methods outlined in this analysis are equally applicable to similar research where the detection of a signal within a particular time scale is obscured by relatively stronger signals from different time scales, or by destructive noise.

BioMed Research International

The major diversification of C. heterophylla that occurred after 0.4 Myr was linked to sea level oscillations in the Quaternary, and any diversification that occurred before this time was obscured by marine transgressions that occurred before the coastal sand barrier's formation.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Once you know the truth, it becomes hard to look at the photograph, perhaps because the truth is so obscured by the horrific realities of the time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately, detecting coresponses between transcript levels and metabolite abundances is non-trivial: they cannot be assumed to overlap directly with underlying biochemical pathways and they may be subject to time delays and obscured by considerable noise.

Bioinformatics

At times, consent is obscured by "I can see it in your eyes" presumptions.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obscured by time" when you want to emphasize that the reason something is unclear or unknown is specifically due to the long passage of time, rather than other factors.

Common error

Avoid using "obscured by time" when the reason for something being unclear is not related to the passage of time. For example, if information is hidden intentionally, use "concealed" or "hidden" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscured by time" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something has been made unclear or difficult to understand due to the passage of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. This is evident in examples like "The origins of the 1,500 meters are somewhat obscured by time."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obscured by time" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to describe situations where the passage of time has made something unclear or difficult to understand. It is most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While there are alternative phrases like "lost to the ages" or "forgotten by history", "obscured by time" specifically emphasizes the role of time in causing the obscurity. When using this phrase, ensure that the lack of clarity is genuinely due to the effects of time, and not other factors such as intentional concealment. Ludwig's examples provide further context and clarity on its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lost to the ages

Implies complete loss and forgotten status due to time.

Forgotten by history

Highlights the act of being forgotten over time.

Veiled by the past

Uses a metaphor to suggest something is covered or hidden by the past.

Shrouded in antiquity

Emphasizes the ancient nature of something that obscures its clarity.

Dimmed by the years

Focuses on the weakening effect of time on clarity or memory.

Eroded by time

Suggests a gradual wearing away of details or memory.

Buried in the annals of history

Implies something is deeply hidden within historical records.

Faded into obscurity

Describes a gradual decline into being unknown or unclear.

Muddied by history

Suggests that historical events have made something unclear.

Clouded by bygone eras

Indicates that past eras have made something difficult to see or understand.

FAQs

How can I use "obscured by time" in a sentence?

You can use "obscured by time" to describe historical events, ancient artifacts, or forgotten knowledge. For instance, "The origins of the ritual are "obscured by time", making it difficult to understand its original purpose."

What's a more formal alternative to "obscured by time"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "lost to the ages" or "veiled by antiquity" as alternatives to ""obscured by time"".

Is "obscured by time" interchangeable with "forgotten"?

While both relate to the loss of information, ""obscured by time"" specifically implies that the passage of time is the primary cause of the obscurity. "Forgotten" can imply other reasons, such as intentional neglect.

What is the difference between "obscured by time" and "lost in translation"?

"Obscured by time" refers to the way the passage of time can make things unclear, while "lost in translation" refers to inaccuracies or lack of understanding that occur when something is translated from one language to another.