conspicuously

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'conspicuously' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used for emphasizing the visibility or obviousness of something. For example, "She conspicuously wore the same shirt to each of the meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there is another kind of support which has been even more conspicuously absent: the proposal of any feasible strategy for breaking the deadlock.

The Guardian

Mendes's award for direction is the most thoroughly and conspicuously deserved of the list.

The Guardian

He thundered, "I will not rest" until Christian pastor Saeed Abedini is released from Iranian prison, but was cagey about what his wakefulness entailed: "everything within our power, within our voice, from the White House, from the State Department, from our government" stops conspicuously short of military intervention.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his advocacy for this regime change - to bring about a shift from discretion to a rule for monetary growth - he was conspicuously unsuccessful.

The Guardian

Better still, it did so without being conspicuously judgmental.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Dating back to the Liao dynasty (916-1125), the site has been a grotesquely expanded – huge new courtyards of conspicuously lacquered wood bury the smaller, faded original halls.

The Guardian

When pressed by Jeremy Paxman on whether he was up to the job, all Ed Miliband could muster was a watery "Hell yes", as if his spirit animal had been the conspicuously posh boy from that 20-year-old chip advert all along.

The Guardian

But pictures of celebrating supporters were conspicuously absent from the paper's news pages.

The Guardian

But one nation was conspicuously missing from the list: the US.

The Guardian - Film

Today he set about paying for those priorities – £500m for a cybersecurity programme – by scrapping cold war tanks, planes and ships, sacking 17,000 military personnel and – less conspicuously – 25,000 civilian staff.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another Ukrainian Eurovision star, the 2004 winner Ruslana, conspicuously supported the Kiev protest movement this winter, singing her victorious tune night after night to the Maidan protesters, who were demanding closer European integration.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conspicuously" when you want to highlight that something is very easy to notice or attracts attention deliberately. It implies a degree of intention or obviousness that simpler words like "noticeably" might not convey.

Common error

Avoid using "conspicuously" too frequently in formal or academic writing, especially if the intended meaning is merely "noticeably" or "obviously". Overuse can make your writing seem overly dramatic or biased. Opt for more neutral language unless the intent is truly to emphasize blatant visibility.

Linguistic Context

The word "conspicuously" primarily functions as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is displayed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "conspicuously" functions as an adverb to emphasize the visibility or obviousness of an action or attribute. It is considered grammatically correct, according to Ludwig AI, and very common, especially within News & Media sources. When choosing alternative phrases, consider "noticeably" or "prominently" to convey the intended level of emphasis. Remember, while "conspicuously" is generally neutral, overuse or use in formal writing can create a negative connotation. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively use the word "conspicuously" to enhance their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeably

Focuses on the ease with which something can be observed or detected.

obviously

Highlights the self-evident nature of something, making it clear and apparent.

prominently

Emphasizes the importance and visibility of something due to its position or distinction.

markedly

Indicates a significant difference or degree in how something stands out.

evidently

Suggests that something is clear and obvious based on the available evidence.

plainly

Stresses the simplicity and clarity with which something can be seen or understood.

distinctly

Highlights the uniqueness or clarity of something, making it easily distinguishable.

patently

Emphasizes that something is undeniably obvious or clear to everyone.

flagrantly

Indicates that something is done in a blatant and outrageous manner, attracting attention.

boldly

Focuses on the confident and daring way in which something is done, drawing attention.

FAQs

How can I use "conspicuously" in a sentence?

You can use "conspicuously" to describe actions or objects that are easily noticeable. For example, "She "conspicuously avoided eye contact"" or "The sign was "conspicuously placed" near the entrance."

What is a good alternative to "conspicuously"?

Alternatives to "conspicuously" include "noticeably", "obviously", or "prominently", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to behave "conspicuously"?

To behave "conspicuously" means to act in a way that is very noticeable or that deliberately draws attention. It often implies an intention to be seen or observed.

Is there a negative connotation to using "conspicuously"?

The word "conspicuously" is not inherently negative, but it can imply a negative connotation if the conspicuous behavior is inappropriate or unwelcome. For example, "He "conspicuously ignored the rules"" suggests a deliberate defiance.