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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
obscurity
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "obscurity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not well known or is hard to understand. Example sentence: The obscure couple lived a quiet and mysterious life, far away from the public eye.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
In fact, Frank's story addresses exactly this dilemma: between artistic integrity (and obscurity) and commercial success.
News & Media
From virtual obscurity, they are summoned from the backroom and thrown into a frontline role for which they have little preparation.
News & Media
But every escape contains its own confinement, and the escape from obscurity to a global reputation has brought unwanted attention and preoccupying commitments to the business of bookselling.
News & Media
But in another sense, she told her fellow physiotherapists, there was the prospect of it "sleepwalking into obscurity" and of allowing the profession to "wither and die".
News & Media
And yet, while members of contemporary bands fell by the wayside - some into career obscurity, others into drug-hazed oblivion - Brown picked himself up, dusted himself down and, unbowed and self-possessed, confounded his critics.
News & Media
Why risk fading into obscurity and beckoning forth the debt-collectors, when you can go out with a stylish bang and break up your practice instead, boy-band style?
News & Media
This in turn was to extend the life of three seams: the Blairhall Main, the Lochgelly Splint and the Jersey, names which have since passed into obscurity along with others – the Lochgelly Parrot, the Duddie Davie – that have their toponymic roots in the mining cultures of the Forth.
News & Media
James Lyne, global head of security research at Sophos, said that some systems have relied on security through obscurity.
News & Media
artmod, posted online Obviously that's hugely flattering and you'd like to think it was the case, but they've lived their whole lives to develop a dedicated aesthetic of total improvisation while being utterly ignored by society and living on the fringes of humanity and in utter poverty, and then dying in obscurity and never being recognised for their art.
News & Media
Here his relative obscurity enabled him to personify anonymity; practically unknown on screen, he could also be frighteningly invisible on the streets.
News & Media
Picasso's relative obscurity is all the more surprising given that his story, and that of his family, was made public in a 1999 documentary, "Los Picassos Negros" ("The Black Picassos").
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "obscurity" to describe a state of being unknown, unclear, or difficult to understand. It's particularly effective when discussing historical figures, scientific concepts, or artistic works that have faded from public awareness.
Common error
Avoid using "obscurity" when a simpler word like "darkness" or "unclear" will suffice. "Obscurity" carries a connotation of something hidden or forgotten, so reserve it for situations where that nuance is relevant.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "obscurity" is as a noun. It commonly refers to the state of being unknown, unclear, or difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showing how "obscurity" functions as a noun in different contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
100%
Less common in
Science
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "obscurity" is a noun frequently used to describe the state of being unknown, unclear, or difficult to understand. Ludwig AI’s analysis, supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, confirms its correct grammatical usage and its prevalence in describing situations where information is hidden or not widely recognized. While the word itself is appropriate for neutral or formal contexts, it's crucial to avoid using it when simpler terms could suffice, and to ensure it genuinely reflects the intended meaning of something being hidden or forgotten. Remember also to use alternative words such as "lack of clarity" or "state of being unknown" when appropriate.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
out of the limelight
Focuses on the absence of public attention or fame.
state of being unknown
Focuses specifically on the condition of not being recognized or famous.
relative anonymity
Highlights a lack of public recognition or fame, focusing on being unknown to the general public.
lack of clarity
Emphasizes the absence of clear understanding rather than complete unknown status.
inconspicuousness
Highlights the quality of not being easily noticed or attracting attention.
difficult to understand
Highlights the complexity and challenge in comprehending something.
shadowy existence
Implies a hidden or secretive way of living, often away from public attention.
absence of light
Relates to the literal meaning of darkness, a lack of illumination.
veiled nature
Emphasizes the hidden or concealed aspects of something.
fading into insignificance
Suggests a gradual decline in importance or recognition.
FAQs
How can I use "obscurity" in a sentence?
You can use "obscurity" to describe something that is not well-known, difficult to understand, or hidden from view. For example, "The small town was shrouded in "relative obscurity"" or "The details of the scandal remain in "utter obscurity"".
What can I say instead of "obscurity"?
You can use alternatives like "lack of clarity", "state of being unknown", or "difficult to understand" depending on the context.
Is it correct to say "relative obscurity"?
Yes, ""relative obscurity"" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It indicates a state of being not entirely unknown but lacking significant recognition or fame.
What's the difference between "obscurity" and "ambiguity"?
"Obscurity" refers to the state of being unknown, unclear, or forgotten, while "ambiguity" refers to the quality of being open to more than one interpretation. Something in "obscurity" is hard to find or understand because it's hidden, while something with "ambiguity" is confusing because it can be understood in multiple ways.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested