barely obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not immediately clear or evident, but may be understood with some effort. Example: "The solution to the puzzle was barely obvious, requiring a keen eye to spot the hidden clues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Forest Ecosystems

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In 2010 the plots were still located well inside HPC-forest, and edge-effects per se were thus barely obvious.

Forest Ecosystems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thank you for pointing out something just barely more obvious than the fact that either my washer is broken or I chose the Rainbow Brite tank top out of some skewed fashion sense, but the industrial strength stretchy pants I'm wearing have been nagging me about the same thing for a while now.

Huffington Post

A honking overhead elicited knowing glances, as if the obvious barely merited comment.

The New York Times

Again, Hitler's biographers have barely noticed this obvious application of drugs, even though it is worth mentioning because of its strong euphorigenic potential for the critical phase after the assassination attempt.

Vice

The school's buildings are decrepit, the decayed walls barely disguising the obvious: a school in dire need of an extreme makeover.

Unicef

The school's structures are decrepit, the decayed walls barely disguising the obvious; the school is in dire need of an extreme makeover.

Unicef

And the chain isn't obvious; you barely glimpse it at first under his shirt.

The New York Times - Magazine

Allsopp's action, then, has the kind of cheesy appeal of a politician who talks about "commonsense values", as if there were a set of central tenets so obvious they barely need articulating.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alternately obvious and barely perceptible, his many physical attitudes — fluid, taut, rubbery, hammy — lend a theatrical consistency to the subject matter, which is as much about the simple act of two people dancing together as it is about showing a family tree of New York dance.

The New York Times - Arts

On the coins, it's pretty much Presidents all the way, except for Susan B. Anthony and Saca-gawea, who are on dollar coins that barely circulate and are obvious affirm-ative-action benchwarmers, destined for the hook once a female President or two comes along, or even sooner.

The New Yorker

And not just in the obvious categories like listening to music, browsing the Web or the other applications where Kindle barely competes.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely obvious" when you want to emphasize that something is technically true, but requires careful observation or analysis to recognize. It's effective when highlighting a subtle irony or a hidden truth.

Common error

Avoid using "barely obvious" to describe something that is already widely known or easily apparent. The phrase is most impactful when used to reveal a nuanced or understated aspect of a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely obvious" functions as an adverb-adjective construction. It modifies a noun or situation to indicate a quality that is only subtly or faintly perceptible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable. Examples show usage in describing subtle environmental effects and understated truths.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely obvious" serves to describe something that is technically evident but not immediately or easily perceptible. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and finds usage across various domains, including news, science, and formal business contexts. While direct and neutral, the phrase's nuance makes it suitable for more analytical writing, often highlighting understated qualities or subtle ironies. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, writers can effectively leverage "barely obvious" to convey precise and insightful observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely detectable

This alternative emphasizes the minimal level at which something can be detected.

slightly apparent

This alternative suggests that something is noticeable to a small degree, but not fully evident.

marginally clear

This suggests something is clear to a small extent, implying a lack of full clarity.

hardly noticeable

This alternative indicates that something is difficult to perceive or detect.

vaguely apparent

This alternative indicates an indefinite or indistinct appearance of something.

faintly discernible

This phrase conveys a sense of something being detectable with effort or close observation.

scarcely perceptible

This alternative emphasizes the minimal degree to which something can be sensed or observed.

almost imperceptible

This alternative highlights the near impossibility of perceiving something.

nearly undetectable

This alternative indicates that something is on the verge of being impossible to detect.

subtly evident

This suggests a delicate or understated indication of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely obvious" to describe something that is not immediately clear but can be understood with some thought, such as: "The connection between the events was "barely obvious", requiring careful analysis to understand."

What's a good alternative to "barely obvious"?

Alternatives include phrases like "slightly apparent", "hardly noticeable", or "faintly discernible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "barely obvious"?

Yes, "barely obvious" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It effectively conveys that something is technically true but not readily apparent.

What's the difference between "barely obvious" and "clearly obvious"?

"Barely obvious" implies that something is only slightly or subtly apparent, while "clearly obvious" means that something is easily and readily apparent. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum of clarity.