obstructed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstructed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is blocked or hindered by an obstacle or barrier. Example: "The view from the balcony was obstructed by the tall buildings nearby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The view was obstructed by stands erected for parade watchers.

The New York Times

In some places they were obstructed by local officials.

The Economist

CONS: River views are partially obstructed by nearby buildings.

The New York Times

The openings in the walls were obstructed by bandages.

The New York Times - Arts

Schiavone's road to a championship is well obstructed by history.

The New York Times - Sports

There's nothing funny about failing if you've been overwhelmingly obstructed by sexism and social conventions.

The New Yorker

The signals at higher frequencies are more easily obstructed by buildings and other structures.

The New York Times - Tech

It claimed employees were being harassed and that it had been obstructed by squatting protesters.

The Guardian

He's had to be: six years of his presidency have been completely obstructed by the Republicans.

The Guardian

It was possible to see the Mediterranean, though the view was slightly obstructed by the Hilton.

The New York Times - Travel

At its mouth the Zambezi splits into a wide, flat, and marshy delta obstructed by sandbars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obstructed by" to clearly indicate that something is being blocked or hindered, whether physically or metaphorically. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice when using "obstructed by". Instead of "The view was obstructed by the building", consider a more active construction like "The building obstructed the view" for a clearer and more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstructed by" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate that something is being blocked or hindered. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obstructed by" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is being blocked or hindered. Grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While "blocked by", "hindered by", and "impeded by" offer similar meanings, "obstructed by" is suitable for a wide range of situations, both formal and informal. Remember to avoid overuse in passive constructions for clearer writing. Its prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blocked by

Indicates a complete halt or closure, similar to "obstructed by" but may imply a more absolute barrier.

hindered by

Suggests a slowing down or making difficult, which aligns closely with the sense of "obstructed by".

impeded by

Similar to hindered, implying a difficulty in progress due to an obstacle.

hampered by

Implies a restriction or impediment to free movement or action, akin to "obstructed by".

inhibited by

Focuses on preventing or slowing down a process, which can be a form of obstruction.

curtailed by

Implies a reduction or limitation, suggesting the obstruction has lessened the scope or extent.

restricted by

Indicates a limit or constraint imposed, implying something is prevented from full movement or access.

obscured by

Specifically relates to blocking visibility or understanding, a particular type of obstruction.

covered by

Implies that something is physically covered and not visible, can also mean that something is blocked.

affected by

Focuses on the influence or impact of something that is causing the obstruction rather than the obstruction itself.

FAQs

How can I use "obstructed by" in a sentence?

The phrase "obstructed by" is used to indicate that something is blocked or hindered by something else. For example, "The road was "obstructed by" fallen trees after the storm."

What are some alternatives to "obstructed by"?

You can use alternatives like "blocked by", "hindered by", or "impeded by" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "obstructed by" or "blocked by"?

Both ""obstructed by"" and "blocked by" are correct, but "blocked by" often implies a more complete or absolute blockage, while "obstructed by" suggests a partial hindrance.

What is the difference between "obstructed by" and "affected by"?

"Obstructed by" indicates something is physically or metaphorically blocked, while "affected by" suggests an influence or impact without necessarily implying blockage. For example, a view might be "obstructed by" a building, while a decision might be "affected by" external factors.