was obstructed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was obstructed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something was blocked or hindered in the past. Example: "The road was obstructed by fallen trees after the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ME Do you think justice was obstructed?

The New York Times

Justice was obstructed along with everything else.

The New York Times

Instead, it was obstructed from the very beginning.

The New Yorker

The view was obstructed by stands erected for parade watchers.

The New York Times

He said he would resign if he was obstructed.

The New York Times

6.08pm GMT 45 min Dulin chips and thinks he was obstructed, as do the crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

But one of the officials said the view of witnesses was obstructed at some crucial points.

The New York Times

The self-organization of αTC1.6 and MIN6-m9 was obstructed using ECA-bound MIN6-m9 cells.

Regenerative Therapy

A similar proposal in the European parliament was obstructed by British MEPs.

The Guardian - Opinion

His answer is simple: he tried, but was obstructed by special interests operating on Capitol Hill.

The Economist

He put in a little grubber kick close to the try line and was obstructed by Nathan Grey.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was obstructed", consider whether a more specific verb might provide greater clarity or impact, such as 'blocked', 'impeded', or 'hindered'.

Common error

While "was obstructed" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider rephrasing to use the active voice where appropriate, such as "the fallen tree obstructed the road" instead of "the road was obstructed by the fallen tree".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was obstructed" functions as a passive voice verb phrase, indicating that something experienced an obstruction or hindrance in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

23%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was obstructed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive voice construction to describe a past instance of blockage or hindrance. Ludwig AI confirms this, presenting a wide array of real-world examples predominantly from news and scientific sources. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for improved clarity and directness. Related phrases like "was blocked" or "was impeded" can offer similar meanings with slight nuances. The frequency of the expression is very common in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was blocked

Direct synonym; implies a physical or metaphorical barrier.

was impeded

Suggests a slowing down or hindering of progress.

was hindered

Similar to 'impeded', but can also imply prevention of action.

was hampered

Implies difficulty in proceeding due to an obstacle.

was interfered with

Suggests an external force disrupting a process.

was disrupted

Indicates an interruption or disturbance to a normal course.

was prevented

Focuses on the act of stopping something from happening.

was curtailed

Implies a reduction or restriction in scope or extent.

was thwarted

Indicates that an attempt or plan was successfully prevented.

was bottlenecked

Specifically refers to a situation where progress is slowed due to a point of congestion.

FAQs

What does "was obstructed" mean?

The phrase "was obstructed" means that something was blocked, hindered, or prevented from progressing or functioning normally. It indicates a past action that impeded something else.

What can I say instead of "was obstructed"?

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

How is "was obstructed" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "was obstructed" is typically used in the passive voice to describe something that experienced an obstruction. For example, "The view was obstructed by the building" or "The investigation was obstructed by false testimony".

Which is correct, "was obstructed" or "is obstructed"?

"Was obstructed" refers to a past action or state, while "is obstructed" refers to a present state. Use "was obstructed" when describing something that happened in the past. For example, "The road was obstructed yesterday due to the accident".