an obvious thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an obvious thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a thought or idea that is clear and easily understood by most people. Example: "It seems like an obvious thought, but we should consider the implications of our decision before moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Some politicians – for instance, Clive Soley, once chair of the parliamentary Labour party – wonder openly whether the stings aren't part of some grubby, subterranean game of intimidation: an obvious thought while sniping at poor Carine Patry Hoskins continues.

The Guardian

Suddenly, an obvious thought intruded on the afternoon's experiment — the fun of a simulation like True Crime: New York City is not that it re-creates the city perfectly but that it re-creates the city just well enough to allow a player to have adventures that are forbidden in real life.

The New Yorker

What The Hell? So, if it's such an obvious thought experiment, what's the attraction?

Vice

An obvious thought occurs: on the Internet, there's enough space to include five paragraphs about the bridesmaids' dresses in every wedding announcement -- and a further five about the groom's suit, for that matter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It does sounds more of a controlling measure than a tax-raising one: we need to see the detail but the obvious thought people will have is that it may be possible to sidestep the measure by waiting a year," Whiting said.

The Guardian - Business

The obvious thought is to try to harness social networks as a new medium for delivering the traditional advertising message.

Forbes

"You can't help the obvious thought".

The Guardian - Books

"The obvious thought is Huckabee," Mr. Hurley said.

The New York Times

"We need to see the detail but the obvious thought people will have is that it may be possible to sidestep the measure by waiting a year," he said.

The Guardian - Business

The runner-up that day was Found, who went on to win the Arc, leading to the obvious thought that Almanzor would have bagged the £2m prize if he had turned up and that Rouget, who has never won an Arc, must now regret his choice.

The Guardian - Sport

These actors, and this in its entirety, were phenomenal, but there were so many fine ideas, both uplifting and dystopian, that I can't quickly do them justice – other than to offer the obvious thought that it's not the technology: it's us.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an obvious thought" to introduce an idea that may seem simple but is crucial to acknowledge before delving into more complex aspects of a topic.

Common error

Avoid using "an obvious thought" when the idea is already widely understood and accepted by your audience. Overstating the obvious can make your writing seem condescending or unnecessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an obvious thought" functions as a noun phrase, where "obvious" modifies the noun "thought". It serves to introduce an idea or consideration that is easily understood or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an obvious thought" is a phrase used to introduce an easily understood idea that is still important to consider. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Although the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable, it's relatively rare in occurrence. As Ludwig's analysis shows, the phrase appears mostly in news and media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful not to overstate the obvious and consider alternative expressions like "a clear idea" or "a straightforward concept" to add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear idea

Focuses on the clarity of the idea rather than its self-evidence.

a self-evident notion

Emphasizes the inherent truth of the idea without needing explanation.

a straightforward concept

Highlights the simplicity and ease of understanding the concept.

an intuitive conclusion

Stresses that the conclusion is reached through instinct or immediate understanding.

an easily grasped idea

Focuses on how easily the idea can be understood.

a simple deduction

Highlights the simplicity and directness of the reasoning process.

a logical inference

Emphasizes that the idea is derived through a process of logical reasoning.

a plain fact

Indicates that the thought is an undeniable truth.

a basic understanding

Highlights the fundamental nature of the understanding.

a common sense assumption

Highlights that the idea is based on common sense and practical reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "an obvious thought" in a sentence?

"An obvious thought" can be used to introduce a self-evident idea. For example, "An obvious thought is that consistent practice improves skills."

What are some alternatives to "an obvious thought"?

Alternatives include "a clear idea", "a self-evident notion", or "a straightforward concept" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an obvious thought" in formal writing?

Yes, it's acceptable, but consider alternatives like "a logical inference" or "a straightforward concept" for a more sophisticated tone in formal contexts.

How does "an obvious thought" differ from "a profound idea"?

"An obvious thought" refers to something easily understood, while a profound idea is deep, insightful, and not immediately apparent.