It was obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It was obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was clear or easily understood without needing further explanation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was obvious that the team had made a mistake in their calculations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It was obvious".

The New York Times

It was obvious why.

The New York Times

It was obvious she knew.

The New York Times

It was obvious that he could not.

The New York Times

It was obvious they were ill.

The New York Times

It was obvious to her, too.

The New York Times

"It was obvious Michele was the star".

The New York Times

"It was obvious that he liked her.

The New York Times

It was obvious something had happened.

Independent

"It was obvious the other night.

The New York Times - Sports

It was obvious, yet shocking.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase, consider the audience and context to ensure it's appropriate; overuse can make writing seem dismissive or condescending.

Common error

Avoid using "It was obvious" when the point requires some level of inference or background knowledge. Overusing the phrase can make you appear patronizing or can weaken your argument by suggesting a lack of deeper insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It was obvious" functions as an evaluative statement, asserting that a particular fact or situation was easily perceived or understood. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly used to convey that something was readily apparent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "It was obvious" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate something was easily understood or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English for conveying clarity. With a neutral register, this phrase appears frequently in news, media and science, making it adaptable across various contexts. While alternatives like "it was clear" or "it was evident" exist, "it was obvious" is a direct way to state a self-evident fact. When using this phrase, remember to avoid overuse and ensure the point is, indeed, self-evident to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was clear

Replaces "obvious" with "clear", maintaining the meaning of something being easily understood.

It was evident

Substitutes "obvious" with "evident", implying something easily noticed or understood.

It was apparent

Replaces "obvious" with "apparent", conveying that something is easily seen or understood.

It was plain to see

Expresses the idea that something was very easy to notice or understand.

It was unmistakable

Indicates something was so clear it could not be mistaken for anything else.

It was self-evident

Emphasizes that something is obvious without needing proof or explanation.

It was a foregone conclusion

Implies the outcome was obvious and predictable from the start.

It was readily apparent

Highlights that something was easily and quickly understood.

It was impossible to miss

Conveys the idea that something was too conspicuous to ignore.

It was written all over

Suggests that someone's feelings or intentions were very obvious from their expression or behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "It was obvious" in a sentence?

The phrase "It was obvious" is used to indicate something was easily understood or apparent. Example: "After the rain started, "it was obvious" the game would be cancelled."

What are some alternatives to saying "It was obvious"?

Alternatives to "It was obvious" include "it was clear", "it was evident", or "it was apparent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "It was obviously" instead of "It was obvious"?

While "obviously" can be used in similar contexts, "It was obvious" is generally more direct and impactful when stating something was easily understood. "It was obviously" might be used to describe the manner in which something occurred.

What's the difference between "It was obvious" and "It became obvious"?

"It was obvious" indicates something was immediately clear. "It became obvious" suggests the clarity developed over time or after additional information was revealed.