visibility was low

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "visibility was low" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as weather reports, driving conditions, or any situation where sight is impaired. Example: "Due to the heavy fog, visibility was low, making it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Visibility was low, but darkness was not total.

The New York Times

By the time we arrived at Montségur, snow was hitting the windscreen and visibility was low.

The Guardian - Travel

That is a beautiful word but a horrible reality: the light broke down, visibility was low so we stopped for the night, sat on a freezing ledge above Zermatt with an intermittent grandstand view of the Matterhorn.

The Guardian - Travel

Due to the fog, visibility was low and the two forces failed to notice Oxford's victory over Hastings.

Wikipedia

Many of these signals were poorly executed and incorrect, visibility was low and Trollope's squadron was still using obsolete signal codes, so a number of vessels failed to comprehend Duncan's intentions, turning the advancing line into a ragged pattern of scattered vessels clustered into two loose groups.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The visibility is low," she said.

The New York Times

And the terrain can make flying here pretty challenging, particularly when visibility is low".

The New York Times

I wouldn't bet against a cast like this, but today it's wet, overcast and visibility is low.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Captain Giampaolo Trucco, a spokesman for divers from the Italian navy, said: "Going inside the boat is the toughest job, psychologically, since visibility is low and the numbers of bodies is extremely high".

The Guardian

We believe Royal Mail faces particular issues with having a highly unionised, relatively well paid workforce at a time when its revenue visibility is low and when both the letter and parcel markets are undergoing significant change.

The Guardian - Business

And you can't get high up on high, even when visibility is low: the ski area is on National Forest Land, where federal law still bans the consumption of cannabis.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather or environmental conditions, use "visibility was low" to clearly indicate impaired sight due to factors like fog, smoke, or darkness.

Common error

While "visibility was low" is clear, consider adding context about the reason for the low visibility, such as "visibility was low due to heavy fog" to avoid any ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "visibility was low" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage to describe environmental conditions affecting sight. It's a subject-complement construction, where "visibility" is the subject, "was" is the linking verb, and "low" is the subject complement describing the condition of the visibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "visibility was low" is a descriptive statement used to indicate that the ability to see is reduced, often due to environmental conditions. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While this phrase is uncommon, it appears in various contexts, including news reports, wiki articles, and scientific publications. The phrase is generally neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal situations. Related phrases include "sight was poor" and "clarity was reduced", offering alternative ways to express the same concept. When using this phrase, consider providing additional context about the cause of the low visibility to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sight was poor

Changes the noun and adjective while maintaining the core meaning of impaired vision.

clarity was reduced

Focuses on the reduction in clarity rather than a specific state of being low.

it was hard to see

Shifts to a more subjective, experiential description of the difficulty in seeing.

seeing conditions were poor

Highlights the conditions that affect seeing rather than the visibility itself.

the view was obscured

Emphasizes that something is blocking or hindering the view.

one could barely see

Indicates an extreme limitation in sight, close to being unable to see anything.

the outlook was hazy

Describes a hazy or unclear visual environment.

the atmosphere was murky

Highlights the atmospheric conditions affecting visibility.

the range of sight was limited

Specifies that the distance one could see was restricted.

perceptibility was limited

Uses a more formal term to indicate that objects were difficult to perceive visually.

FAQs

How can I use "visibility was low" in a sentence?

You can use "visibility was low" to describe situations where it is difficult to see clearly due to weather conditions, darkness, or other obstructions. For example, "Because of the dense fog, "visibility was low" on the highway".

What are some alternatives to saying "visibility was low"?

Alternatives include "sight was poor", "clarity was reduced", or "it was hard to see". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. See also: "sight was poor", "clarity was reduced", "it was hard to see".

Is it better to say "visibility was low" or "there was low visibility"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. "Visibility was low" is slightly more concise. Both phrases are suitable depending on the context of the sentence. For example: "There was "low visibility" due to the heavy smog".

What causes "visibility was low"?

"Visibility was low" can be caused by various factors, including fog, smoke, heavy rain, snow, darkness, or dust. Specifying the cause provides more context and clarity. The low quality can be caused from fog, snow or simply "darkness".