always been obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always been obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something has been clear or evident for a long time. Example: "The need for environmental protection has always been obvious to those who care about the planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It hasn't always been obvious.

The New York Times

It's always been obvious that Republicans will keep parts of Obamacare.

The New York Times

While some gymnasts seem more ethereal than corporeal, Beth's blisters and calluses have always been obvious.

The Guardian - Sport

In his 15 months at the club this had not always been obvious.

The Guardian - Sport

Such fun with form, however, has not always been obvious from his English translations.

The Guardian - Books

It hasn't always been obvious that Amazon would transform the feeling of everyday life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

If they were not, the distinction between original and knock-off would always be obvious.

The Economist

True, it wouldn't always be obvious where to place base runners if a call was overturned.

The New York Times

Some brokers singled out Chelsea as a hive of club activity that may not always be obvious to apartment hunters.

The New York Times

But the causes of more lasting trends may not always be obvious, and some research suggests that income alone cannot explain away many differences.

The New York Times

The economic implications of a more-closed farming system will not always be obvious to farmers.

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "always been clear" in formal setting.

Common error

Avoid using "always been obvious" in situations requiring tact or diplomacy. Overusing it can make you appear condescending or dismissive of others' perspectives. Consider gentler alternatives when addressing sensitive topics or less informed audiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always been obvious" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by asserting that something has consistently been easily perceived or understood. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

17%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "always been obvious" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize that something is, or should have been, easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While versatile, be mindful of the context and audience, opting for more nuanced alternatives when appropriate. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by science and wiki articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

always been clear

Replaces "obvious" with "clear", emphasizing ease of understanding.

always been evident

Substitutes "obvious" with "evident", suggesting that something is easily perceived.

always been apparent

Uses "apparent" instead of "obvious", indicating that something is readily visible or understandable.

always been plain to see

Emphasizes the visibility of something with the phrase "plain to see".

it was always obvious

Rephrases with an explicit subject, shifting the emphasis slightly.

it has long been clear

Uses a different sentence structure and synonym to communicate the meaning.

should have been obvious

Suggests that something was not recognized when it ideally should have been.

was always staring us in the face

Idiomatic expression implying something was very obvious but overlooked.

patently obvious

Stronger and somewhat more formal synonym for "obvious".

blindingly obvious

Idiomatic expression implying something is very obvious and impossible to miss.

FAQs

How can I use "always been obvious" in a sentence?

You can use "always been obvious" to emphasize that something should have been clear or easily understood. For example, "It has "always been obvious" that investing in renewable energy is crucial for our future".

What is a synonym for "always been obvious"?

Some synonyms for "always been obvious" include "always been clear", "always been evident", or "always been apparent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "always been obvious" and "should have been obvious"?

"Always been obvious" states that something was, in fact, clear all along. "Should have been obvious" implies that something was not initially clear but ideally should have been, often with a hint of criticism or regret.

Is it better to say "it has always been obvious" or "it was always obvious"?

Both "it has always been obvious" and "it was always obvious" are grammatically correct. "It has always been obvious" is in the present perfect tense, suggesting the obviousness continues to the present. "It was always obvious" is in the past tense, implying the obviousness was true in the past, but perhaps not anymore.