conspicuous in + place/group
Showing where something stands out
Use in for the setting where someone or something is highly noticeable.
The bright sign was conspicuous in the dark street.
Conspicuous by or conspicuous in?
Conspicuous in describes where someone or something is noticeable. Conspicuous by appears mainly in the fixed phrase conspicuous by absence.
Quick answer
How do you use conspicuous with prepositions?
Use conspicuous in for a place, group, or situation. Use conspicuous by mostly in the expression conspicuous by absence.
She was conspicuous in the crowd.
He was conspicuous by his absence.
He was conspicuous by his absence.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
conspicuous by + absence
Fixed expression about missing presence
Conspicuous by absence means noticeable because someone or something is missing.
The captain was conspicuous by his absence.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
conspicuous in
Her talent was conspicuous in the competition.
easy to notice in a setting
conspicuous by
The manager was conspicuous by his silence.
noticeable because of a feature or absence; limited use
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using by for ordinary locations
Use in for places or groups.
✕ She was conspicuous by the audience. ✓ She was conspicuous in the audience.Overusing by outside fixed expressions
By is uncommon except in expressions such as by absence.
✕ The building is conspicuous by the city centre. ✓ The building is conspicuous in the city centre.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The actor was conspicuous ___ the crowd.
2. She was conspicuous ___ her absence.
3. The red coat was conspicuous ___ the photograph.
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Frequently asked questions
Is conspicuous by common?
It is mainly used in a few fixed expressions, especially conspicuous by absence.
Can I say conspicuous at?
Yes, but at usually introduces a place or event separately, not a fixed adjective pattern.
What is a simpler synonym for conspicuous?
Noticeable or obvious are common alternatives.
Related preposition guides
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