apparently obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparently obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something seems clear or evident, but there may be some doubt or uncertainty about it. Example: "The solution to the problem was apparently obvious to everyone, yet it took us hours to figure it out."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

And apparently 2RedBeans is already having success matching Chinese-Americans.

TechCrunch

How churches advertise in Washington, apparently pic.twitter.com/IHXF0o2SMS.

Huffington Post

The answer was apparently 17.

The Guardian

Apparently 24-hour plays are too easy.

The New York Times

(One of the leaders was apparently 33).

The New York Times

The record is apparently 1 hour 23 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Apparently MI6 have been in contact with him for years".

The New York Times

There are now apparently 66 farmer groups in Katine.

The Guardian

Suits me (but apparently 10 guests have not agreed).

The Guardian - Travel

Some stats – apparently 173,658 fans in 169 countries voted in the Hottest 100 this year.

The Guardian

Apparently 25, 50 or even 75 burgers just wouldn't do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apparently obvious" when you want to suggest that something seems clear, but you suspect there might be hidden complexities or nuances. This can add a layer of subtle skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "apparently obvious" when something is undeniably and universally clear. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound redundant or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparently obvious" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. The adverb "apparently" modifies the adjective "obvious", softening its definiteness and suggesting a perceived, rather than absolute, clarity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "apparently obvious" suggests a perceived clarity that might not be absolute, functioning as an adverb-adjective combination. While grammatically correct, its usage should be considered carefully to avoid redundancy. Without usage examples, Ludwig AI relies on linguistic structure to infer the phrase's nuance, making it suitable for neutral contexts where perceived clarity needs to be conveyed with a degree of subjectivity. Consider using alternative phrases like "seemingly evident" or "ostensibly clear" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seemingly evident

Replaces "apparently" with "seemingly", emphasizing the appearance of being evident.

ostensibly clear

Substitutes both words to convey a sense of surface-level clarity.

visibly apparent

Emphasizes the visibility of something that is clear.

evidently plain

Uses "evidently" to indicate evidence of plainness.

clearly manifest

Replaces "obvious" with "manifest" for a slightly more formal tone.

patently evident

Uses "patently" to highlight the undeniable nature of the evidence.

facially apparent

Indicates that something is apparent on its face or at first glance.

superficially obvious

Highlights that the obviousness might only be on the surface.

on the surface, obvious

Adds a prepositional phrase to emphasize the surface-level appearance.

outwardly clear

Focuses on the external appearance of clarity.

FAQs

What does "apparently obvious" mean?

It suggests something seems clear or evident on the surface, but there might be underlying complexities or doubts. It's not as straightforward as something that is simply "obvious".

When should I use "apparently obvious" in a sentence?

Use it when you want to imply that something seems clear, but you're not entirely convinced or want to hint at a different perspective. For example, "The solution was "seemingly obvious", but it required careful consideration".

Are there alternatives to "apparently obvious"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "ostensibly clear", "seemingly evident", or "visibly apparent" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "apparently obvious" redundant?

While "obvious" already implies clarity, "apparently obvious" can be used to add a subtle layer of skepticism or to suggest that the clarity might be superficial. However, be mindful of overusing it to avoid redundancy.