are obviously not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are obviously not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a clear or evident negation of a statement or assumption. Example: "These results are obviously not what we expected, indicating a need for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are obviously not.

The New York Times

We are obviously not happy".

The New York Times

We are obviously not negotiating.

The Guardian

These assumptions are obviously not isolated.

The Guardian

These are obviously not Google's maps.

The New York Times

These people are obviously not angels.

The New York Times

Which they are obviously not with Clemens.

The New York Times - Sports

They are obviously not concerned about our welfare".

The New York Times

But the Doggies are obviously not without claim.

The Guardian - Sport

Demonstrations and protests are, obviously, not conducive to such ends.

The Guardian - Opinion

I mean, these folks are obviously not Mensa material.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are obviously not" to emphasize that something should be clear to anyone, but avoid overuse to prevent sounding condescending. Consider the audience and context when choosing this phrase.

Common error

While "are obviously not" is useful for emphasis, relying on it too often can make your writing seem repetitive and even aggressive. Vary your language with alternatives like "clearly not" or "evidently not" to maintain a more balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are obviously not" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause to express a strong negation. It indicates that something is clearly and undeniably false or incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

35%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are obviously not" functions as an adverbial phrase that emphatically negates a statement, implying a high degree of certainty and often suggesting that the negation should be apparent to everyone. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various domains. Its widespread use in News & Media and Scientific contexts highlights its utility in expressing clear contradictions. While a powerful tool, overuse can lead to a condescending tone, suggesting alternatives like "clearly not" or "evidently not" for more balanced communication. Therefore, choose the phrase thoughtfully, considering context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are clearly not

Replaces "obviously" with "clearly", offering a slightly less emphatic tone.

are evidently not

Substitutes "obviously" with "evidently", implying the lack of doubt is based on evidence.

are plainly not

Replaces "obviously" with "plainly", suggesting the negation is easy to see or understand.

are certainly not

Substitutes "obviously" with "certainly", emphasizing the certainty of the negation.

are definitely not

Replaces "obviously" with "definitely", stressing the lack of any doubt.

are absolutely not

Substitutes "obviously" with "absolutely", strongly affirming the negation.

are by no means

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a similar sense of negation, but is more formal.

are far from

Uses an idiomatic expression to express that something is not the case, implying a significant distance from the expected state.

do not seem to be

Presents the negation with a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity.

it is not apparent that

Offers a more formal and indirect way of expressing the lack of obviousness.

FAQs

How can I use "are obviously not" in a sentence?

Use "are obviously not" to indicate something is clearly untrue or not the case. For example, "These results "are obviously not" what we expected."

What can I say instead of "are obviously not"?

You can use alternatives like "are clearly not", "are evidently not", or "are plainly not" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "are obviously not"?

While grammatically correct, "are obviously not" can sound condescending if used in situations where the information might not be obvious to everyone. Consider your audience and choose a more neutral phrase if necessary.

What's the difference between "are obviously not" and "are certainly not"?

"Are obviously not" implies something should be clear to anyone, while "are certainly not" simply emphasizes the certainty of the negation without implying obviousness.