to be masked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be masked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is concealed or hidden, often referring to physical or metaphorical masking. Example: "The true intentions of the project seemed to be masked by the overly optimistic presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Requires data to be masked after six months and transferred to a dormant database after five years.

The Guardian

What Ms. Finn characterizes as Ms. Greenfield's "privileged upbringing" is what I consider to be "masked deprivation".

The New York Times

Initially jarring, O'Halloran's stylised performance lends another layer of ambiguity to this shadowy character, with hints that his sexuality has to be masked.

The Guardian

Since the DHA tends to come from fish, it makes things taste fishy, and its flavour has to be masked with other additives.

The Guardian - Business

I look at the tattoos – the Williams quote on her left arm, soon to be masked by a cardigan she will shrug around herself in the autumn chill.

The Guardian - Film

Even the wasting of resources between Congo and the international community is something that has to be masked and packaged until Rwanda is made the problem.

The Guardian

Prices have always been somewhat volatile and underlying trends tend to be masked by shorter-term factors such as refinery capacity, weather, politics and wars.

The Guardian - Opinion

To apply the coating, a gadget has to be dismantled, and any areas to remain untreated (like the screen and electrical contacts) have to be masked off.

The New York Times

But there is too much fragility in this lineup at present to be masked by a one-goal advantage, with Watson's corner eventually handled by Nemanja Matic, waving his left arm needlessly to invite disaster, allowing Troy Deeney to score an equaliser from the spot.

The Guardian - Sport

The wave corresponding to the repolarization of the atria is thought to be masked by the higher amplitude QRS complex.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The high contrast between θ and δDθ caused the impacts of other factors on δDθ to be masked by the impact of the recent rainfall.

Geoderma

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, use "to be masked" to create a sense of mystery or suspense, hinting at hidden truths or concealed identities.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "to be masked". Active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The data needs to be masked", consider "We must mask the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be masked" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a passive construction. It indicates that something is undergoing the action of being concealed or hidden. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be masked" is a grammatically correct and versatile infinitive phrase used to describe the act of concealing or hiding something. As Ludwig AI underlines, its usage spans across diverse fields, including science, news, and formal business contexts. While it is particularly prevalent in scientific literature, it maintains relevance in more general communication. When using "to be masked", ensure clarity by specifying what is being hidden and the reason behind it, and be mindful of overusing the passive voice. Consider alternatives like "to be concealed" or "to be hidden" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be concealed

Emphasizes the act of hiding or keeping something secret.

to be hidden

Focuses on the state of being out of sight or unknown.

to be obscured

Highlights the act of making something difficult to perceive or understand.

to be disguised

Suggests an intentional alteration to conceal true identity or nature.

to be covered up

Implies an effort to conceal wrongdoing or a mistake.

to be veiled

Indicates a subtle or partial concealment, often with metaphorical implications.

to be shrouded

Suggests being enveloped or concealed, often in mystery or uncertainty.

to be suppressed

Highlights the act of forcibly preventing something from being known or expressed.

to be camouflaged

Emphasizes the use of disguise to blend in with the surroundings.

to be whitewashed

Indicates an attempt to conceal or gloss over faults or wrongdoings.

FAQs

How can I use "to be masked" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be masked" is used to describe something that is being concealed or hidden. For example, "The error was likely "to be masked" by other factors".

What are some alternatives to "to be masked"?

You can use alternatives like "to be concealed", "to be hidden", or "to be obscured" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "to be masked" or "to being masked"?

"To be masked" is the correct infinitive form. "To being masked" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts where "to be masked" is appropriate.

What does it mean when something is said "to be masked" in scientific research?

In scientific research, if something is said ""to be masked"", it means that its effects or presence are being obscured or hidden by other factors, making it difficult to detect or measure accurately.