besides the obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "besides the obvious" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to mean "in addition to" or "more than" what is already known or understood. For example: "The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, besides the obvious pizza and pasta."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

How is it different from being a front-desk librarian (besides the obvious)?

Independent

"In this case, besides the obvious submission of his victims, the sniper is manipulating law enforcement and the media.

The New York Times

But questions remain (besides the obvious risk that the birth may be aborted if the government collapses first).

The Economist

It would be nice, of course, if there were no innate differences of any kind among racial groups, at least besides the obvious cosmetic ones.

The New York Times - Books

THERE are many tempting reasons to pick up "Global Woman: Nannies, Maids and Sex Workers in the New Economy" (Metropolitan Books, $26) besides the obvious ones in the subtitle.

The New York Times

And besides the obvious benefits to local shops and restaurants, the mayor said the ships also raise the spirits of village residents.

The New York Times

What all these fiddlers have in common, besides the obvious, is the imprimatur of the National Endowment for the Arts, which has awarded about a dozen National Heritage Fellowships each year since 1982.

The New York Times - Arts

But I'd guess that there are some qualities that play a major role, besides the obvious necessities of talent and luck.

The Guardian

However, besides the obvious question of legality, we also have to consider whether this action will make us safer in the long term.

The Guardian

So why start a channel for the so-called millennial generation, besides the obvious answers involving advertisers who pay a premium for younger demographics?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

What John McCain misses--besides the obvious desire that most Americans have to get out of Iraq quickly--is a plan to tell us 1) why he wants to stay in Iraq in the first place, and 2) how, exactly, he plans to achieve the things that he promises.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "besides the obvious" to introduce additional, perhaps less apparent, considerations after acknowledging the most evident point. This adds depth to your argument or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "besides the obvious" in very simple sentences where the 'obvious' point is the only other relevant factor. It can make the sentence sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "besides the obvious" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces additional information or considerations beyond what is immediately apparent or commonly understood. As Ludwig AI identifies, it is frequently used in various contexts to add depth to an argument or explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "besides the obvious" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce additional, often less apparent, considerations to a discussion. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its function is to transition from well-known points to more nuanced aspects, enriching the depth of understanding. It is generally suitable for neutral and informal registers, though more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives. With its frequent presence in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it stands as a valuable tool for enhancing clarity and comprehensiveness in writing. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, avoid overuse in overly simple sentences to maintain effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apart from what's evident

Focuses on setting aside the clear aspects to explore other points.

beyond what is apparent

Emphasizes looking at elements that are not readily visible or understood.

aside from the self-explanatory

Highlights excluding what needs no explanation to consider further details.

excluding the straightforward

Specifies the removal of uncomplicated factors from consideration.

in addition to the clear

Directly adds supplementary information to what is already plain.

over and above the plain

Suggests a deeper exploration beyond the superficial aspects.

notwithstanding the patent

Acknowledges the obvious while proceeding to discuss other points.

irrespective of the manifest

Indicates that the discussion will move beyond what is easily perceived.

leaving aside the unmistakable

Sets aside the undeniable aspects to focus on less obvious elements.

beyond the readily visible

Implies that further examination is needed past the initial observations.

FAQs

How can I use "besides the obvious" in a sentence?

You can use "besides the obvious" to introduce additional points or considerations that may not be immediately apparent. For example: "Besides the obvious cost savings, the new system also improves efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "besides the obvious"?

Alternatives include "apart from what's evident", "beyond what is apparent", or "aside from the self-explanatory" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "besides the obvious" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge a clear or well-known point before moving on to discuss other, perhaps less evident, aspects of the topic.

Is "besides the obvious" formal or informal?

The phrase "besides the obvious" is suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. It can be used in news articles, blogs, and even some business communications, though more formal writing may benefit from alternatives such as "in addition to what is already known".