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Prepositions after verbs

Obscure by, from, or to?

Obscure often takes a direct object. By and from are common in passive structures.

Quick answer

Using obscure

Use obscure something directly. Be obscured by means hidden because of something. Obscure from means hide from view or understanding. Obscure to can describe something difficult for someone to understand.

Clouds obscured the mountains.
The sign was obscured by smoke.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
obscure + object

Making something unclear

Obscure commonly takes a direct object.

Technical language can obscure the main point.
2
be obscured by + thing

Showing the cause

By introduces what blocks or hides something.

The road was obscured by fog.
3
obscure from + person

Hiding information

From introduces the person kept from seeing or knowing.

Some details were obscured from the public.
4
obscure to + person

Difficult to understand

To introduces the person affected.

The reference was obscure to most readers.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
obscure by
The view was obscured by rain.
show what causes the obstruction
obscure for
Not a common fixed combination after obscure.
for is rarely used directly after obscure
obscure from
The facts were obscured from voters.
hide from someone
obscure in
Obscure in meaning is possible but uncommon.
in may introduce an area or respect
obscure to
The joke was obscure to me.
hard for someone to understand

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Adding unnecessary prepositions

Obscure often takes a direct object.

✕ The smoke obscured from the road. ✓ The smoke obscured the road.

Using for after obscure

For is not usually selected by obscure.

✕ The concept was obscure for students. ✓ The concept was obscure to students.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Heavy rain obscured the hills ___ drivers.
2. The message was obscure ___ many readers.
3. The stars were obscured ___ clouds.

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Frequently asked questions

Does obscure need a preposition?

Usually no. It commonly takes a direct object.

What does obscure to mean?

It means difficult for someone to understand.

Is obscure for correct?

Usually no. English normally uses obscure to someone instead.

oblige-to-by-with-in, for observe in, by, on, with or for? "obsess about" or "obsess over"? "obtain from" or "obtain by"? occupy by, with, in, for or at? occur in, to, at, on or during? offend by, at, in, against or with? "offer by" or "offer to"? offset by, from, with, for or against? "omit from" or "omit by"? "open in" or "open to"? operate in, by, on, at or from?

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