so as not to obscure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so as not to obscure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the intention of avoiding confusion or lack of clarity in communication or presentation. Example: "I will simplify the language in my report so as not to obscure the main findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The interface has been designed so that you tap on the bottom fifth of the screen below the level window, so as not to obscure any action with your thumb.

The Guardian - Tech

Our results indicate that these important paradigm design aspects that are theoretically unrelated to set switching per se should be balanced and controlled for in future experiments, so as not to obscure clear identification of brain regions truly engaged in mental set switching.

NeuroImage

Anthony E. Malkin, an owner of the Empire State Building, said he favored development in the surrounding area but felt that the proposed tower should be shrunk so as not to obscure the view of his building, which has stood alone since it opened 79 years ago.

The New York Times

You may not have noticed, because the politicians have been reticent about advertising so as not to obscure the issues, and the news media have focused so intently on the nation's most pressing needs instead of the horse-race aspects of the campaign.

The New York Times

Are requirements specified in an implementation-free way so as not to obscure the original requirements (i.e., do the requirements state what and not how )? Are requirements specified on the product, not on an operator?

Johns Hopkins University

His microphone rises from behind him, arching over his head to hang before his mouth so as not to obscure the thoughtful dances he's worked out for every song.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

His abstract aerial photographs (taken as he was flying his P-51 Mustang upsidedown so as not to have a wing obscure the view) are framed with natural materials like leaves, coral, and bark.

The New York Times

But as you've probably discovered, the path is not that established, not least because Cloud providers are intentionally obscure so as not to show their weaknesses.

Forbes

The figures are squares of 3 mm so as not to include the source and sink which would obscure the behavior in and immediately surrounding the sphere.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

I've kept my list mostly obscure (to intrigue you), and the descriptions as vague as I can, so as not to keep the plots of these worthwhile reads surprising. 1.

The Guardian - Books

What to expect from the life story of the author of Jude the Obscure, in which an eight-year-old boy hangs himself and his three brothers so as not to be a burden on his parents?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so as not to obscure", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what is being protected from being obscured. Clarity is key in such constructions.

Common error

Avoid using "so as not to obscure" if it's unclear what the subject being obscured is. For example, instead of "The document was shortened so as not to obscure", specify "The document was shortened so as not to obscure the main points".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as not to obscure" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It modifies a verb by explaining the reason or intention behind the action, indicating that something is done to prevent obscuring something else. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "so as not to obscure" serves as a purpose connector, used to express the intention of avoiding confusion or ambiguity. As Ludwig demonstrates, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds usage across various domains, from news and media to science and academia. While it's a functional phrase, alternatives like "to avoid obscuring" or "in order to prevent obscuring" can provide simpler or more direct ways to convey the same meaning. According to Ludwig's AI, the phrase is usable in written English and effective for indicating a deliberate effort to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to avoid obscuring

Replaces "so as" with "in order" offering a slightly more formal tone.

to prevent obscuring

Uses a simpler infinitive phrase instead of "so as not to".

to avoid obscuring

Directly states the action to be avoided.

lest it obscure

Uses "lest" for a more formal and somewhat archaic tone.

for the purpose of not obscuring

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the purpose.

with the intention of not obscuring

Similar to the previous, but emphasizes intention.

in such a way as not to obscure

Adds "in such a way" for emphasis on the method.

so that it does not obscure

Replaces "as" with "that" and includes a subject and verb.

to ensure it doesn't obscure

Focuses on ensuring the avoidance of obscuring.

with the goal of preventing obscuration

Uses a more nominalized structure.

FAQs

How can I use "so as not to obscure" in a sentence?

Use "so as not to obscure" when you want to indicate that an action is taken to prevent something from being unclear or hidden. For example, "The wording was simplified "so as not to obscure" the central message".

What phrases are similar to "so as not to obscure"?

Alternatives to "so as not to obscure" include "to avoid obscuring", "in order to avoid obscuring", or "to prevent obscuring". These phrases all convey the same meaning of preventing something from becoming unclear.

What is the difference between "so as not to obscure" and "in order to not obscure"?

"So as not to obscure" and "in order to not obscure" are very similar in meaning. "So as not to obscure" is slightly more concise and can sound more natural in certain contexts. Both phrases indicate the purpose of preventing something from becoming unclear. In most cases the sentences are interchangeable.

Is "so as to not obscure" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "so as not to obscure" is generally preferred over "so as to not obscure". The placement of "not" between "as" and "to" is considered less idiomatic. It's best to keep "not" before the "to" when using "so as" to maintain a smoother flow.