was obstructed with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was obstructed with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is blocked or hindered by an object or condition, but the preposition "with" is not the appropriate choice in this context. Example: "The road was obstructed by fallen trees after the storm."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

On December 27, 2000, CHILD visited ENT Associates, where Dr. Grace Matesic observed that CHILD's left PE tube was obstructed with crust.

Huffington Post

The opening of the cup at the hilum was obstructed with fat and the kidney was covered with mineral oil.

F1000Research

The distal small intestine was obstructed with a single ligature placed 10 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction in IO rats for 24 hrs.

BMC Gastroenterology

In IO rats, the distal small intestine was obstructed with a single ligature of 4-0 silk placed 10 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction.

BMC Gastroenterology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Government efforts to enfranchise more Palestinians had been obstructed with protests.

The Economist

In this study, we show that activated T lymphocytes are crucially dependent on Nampt activity for their function and survival as they face massive NAD+ depletion and cell demise when this enzyme is obstructed with FK866.

Plosone

Cystic fibrosis patients have constitutive high levels of IL-8 in their blood and sputum, and their lungs are obstructed with dead neutrophils and colonized by S. aureus or P. aeruginosa [16].

Plosone

Even when the pancreatic duct is obstructed with protein or stones in chronic pancreatitis, ascending infections are not reported.

BMC Gastroenterology

Primarily it is the lungs and pancreas that are affected, with the small airways of the lungs and the pancreatic ducts being obstructed with the viscous tenacious mucus.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The model was established in three consecutive steps: 1) Cyclophosphamide (CPA) and cortisone acetate (CA) were administered, 2) Unilateral nasal cavities were obstructed with Merocel sponges (Medtronic Xomed, Jacksonville, FL), and 3) Nasal cavities were inoculated with A. fumigatus.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Similarly, changes in eye movement behaviour (reduction in saccade initiation) has also been observed when the VF is obstructed with an artificial scotoma in observers with normal vision [ 37].

BMC Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "was obstructed with" with more precise alternatives like "was blocked by" or "was clogged with" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness. Doing so ensures a more professional and accurate tone.

Common error

Avoid using "with" after "obstructed" as it implies accompaniment rather than causation or means. Instead, use "by" to indicate the cause of the obstruction, or other prepositions that fit the specific type of obstruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was obstructed with" attempts to describe a state where something is blocked or hindered. However, it's not considered standard English. Ludwig AI identifies this construction as incorrect. The proper grammatical function it aims for is that of a passive verb phrase indicating obstruction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was obstructed with" is generally considered incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While some instances can be found in various sources, including news and scientific articles, more appropriate alternatives such as "was blocked by", "was clogged with", or "was hindered by" are recommended. These alternatives offer improved clarity and grammatical accuracy, making them better choices for both formal and informal writing. Therefore, it is best to avoid "was obstructed with" to maintain a professional and precise tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was blocked by

Emphasizes a physical barrier directly causing the obstruction.

was hindered by

Focuses on the slowing or impeding effect rather than a complete blockage.

was impeded by

Similar to 'hindered', but slightly more formal and emphasizes difficulty.

was clogged with

Specifically refers to a blockage caused by accumulated material.

was congested with

Suggests a state of overcrowding leading to obstruction, especially for fluids or traffic.

was filled with

Indicates a state of being full, which may cause obstruction depending on the context.

was jammed with

Implies a forceful filling or packing that causes obstruction.

was laden with

Highlights a heavy burden or load causing impedance.

was barricaded by

Suggests a deliberate blocking with a barrier.

was fouled by

Indicates contamination or entanglement leading to obstruction.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "was obstructed with"?

You can use alternatives such as "was blocked by", "was clogged with", or "was hindered by" depending on the specific context of the sentence.

Is "was obstructed with" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "was obstructed with" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "was blocked by" or "was obstructed by".

How can I use "was blocked by" instead of "was obstructed with"?

Instead of saying "The passage was obstructed with debris", you can say "The passage was blocked by debris". This phrasing is more grammatically sound and clearer.

What is the difference between "was obstructed by" and "was blocked by"?

"Was blocked by" generally implies a complete physical barrier, while "was obstructed by" can suggest a partial or less absolute impediment. However, they are often used interchangeably.