almost obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly clear or evident, but not entirely so. Example: "The solution to the problem was almost obvious, yet it took us hours to figure it out."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

That's almost obvious, right?

Yale University

It was a hypothesis that seemed almost obvious.

The New York Times

How to do it, once you are told, and you are a physicist, it's almost obvious.

The New Yorker

Such principles as I can articulate are almost obvious, though surprisingly neglected.

The Guardian - Books

Last year's selection of the winning architect was almost obvious: Beyer Blinder Belle, creators of Ellis Island's Museum of Immigration.

The New York Times - Travel

Advances that had seemed impossible a short while ago "suddenly are made to look almost obvious," Dr. Ellenbogen said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Most obvious, almost all of the motifs arrayed in clusters are conserved.

Plosone

In retrospect, it almost seems obvious.

The New Yorker

It's almost too obvious to mention.

The Guardian

As potential targets go, Indian Point seems almost too obvious.

The New Yorker

Hansen's setup lines can be almost groaningly obvious.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost obvious" to convey a sense of something being readily apparent but not entirely self-evident, implying a degree of insight or recognition is still required.

Common error

Avoid using "almost obvious" when the point is genuinely, unequivocally obvious, as it can come across as condescending or redundant. Instead, opt for stronger terms like "clearly" or "obviously" if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost obvious" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its degree of clarity or self-evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests something is readily apparent but not entirely self-explanatory.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost obvious" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is nearly apparent but not quite self-evident. Ludwig AI validates its usability and suggests that while close to being clear, some thought or recognition is still required. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it strikes a neutral to formal register. When using "almost obvious", be mindful of overstating the obvious and consider alternatives like "nearly apparent" or "practically evident" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly apparent

Emphasizes the easiness to see or understand something.

virtually self-explanatory

Highlights the characteristic of needing little to no explanation.

practically evident

Focuses on the evidence supporting the idea, making it almost unquestionable.

scarcely concealed

Indicates that something is barely hidden or disguised, making it easily noticeable.

barely disguised

Refers to something that is thinly veiled or minimally altered, making it easy to recognize.

tantamount to a foregone conclusion

Suggests something is as good as certain to happen or be true.

on the verge of obviousness

Highlights the state of being extremely close to being completely clear or apparent.

bordering on self-evidence

Describes something that is so clear that it almost proves itself.

verging on the obvious

Similar to bordering on, emphasizing closeness to being fully apparent.

approaching clarity

Indicates that something is becoming more and more clear or understandable.

FAQs

How can I use "almost obvious" in a sentence?

You can use "almost obvious" to describe a fact or idea that is easily understood or apparent with a little thought. For example, "The solution to the problem was "almost obvious" once we considered all the factors."

What are some alternatives to "almost obvious"?

Alternatives include "nearly apparent", "virtually self-explanatory", or "practically evident" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost too obvious"?

Yes, "almost too obvious" is a valid construction. It suggests that something is so apparent that it barely needs mentioning, or that its simplicity is deceiving. It's frequently used to express sarcasm or mild frustration at an oversight.

What is the difference between "almost obvious" and "patently obvious"?

"Almost obvious" implies something requires a bit of thought to realize, while "patently obvious" suggests something is immediately and undeniably clear. "Patently obvious" is a stronger statement of clarity than "almost obvious".