far from evident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far from evident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not clear or obvious, often in discussions or analyses where clarity is questioned. Example: "The reasons for the sudden change in policy are far from evident, leading to speculation among the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Currently, this is far from evident for the law enforcement agencies in Sweden today.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the main structural work is well advanced, what it will contain remains far from evident to casual onlookers.

The New York Times

So it is far from evident what China could offer militarily if it joined the anti-Isis coalition.

The Guardian - Opinion

This may be the first time it's included cowboys, but it's far from evident that they make it more real.

The Guardian

What is clear is that the wellbeing of the six who came to the Observer to be photographed, in case of management reprisals, was far from evident.

The Guardian - Business

But whatever they may have done, it is far from evident that they had handed Moscow the key to its first atomic bomb, as charged at the time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The value of intellectual freedom is far from self-evident.

The New Yorker

By contrast, the case for multilateralism is often far from self-evident.

The Economist

But in 1944, all of that was far from self-evident, and the risks were enormous and terrifying.

The New York Times

Shecter's signature visual overload makes this work read like a haunting fable, albeit one whose lesson is far from self-evident.

The New York Times

But while the production's creators and promoters suggest a clear link between the poetry and the music, their relationship ends up being far from self-evident.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from evident" when you want to subtly suggest that something is not as clear or obvious as it might seem. It adds a layer of nuance compared to simpler phrases like "not obvious".

Common error

Avoid using "far from evident" in situations where a more straightforward phrase like "not clear" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from evident" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a quality or state of being not easily perceived or understood. It is used to express a lack of clarity or obviousness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far from evident" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey a lack of clarity or obviousness. As Ludwig AI underlines, it's appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. While alternatives like "not obvious" exist, "far from evident" offers a slightly more nuanced and sophisticated tone. It's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in simple contexts where a more direct phrase would suffice. Keep in mind the primary goal of the phrase is to introduce doubt or to express some skepticism, while highlighting complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not at all obvious

Emphasizes the lack of obviousness more directly.

not readily apparent

Highlights that the information isn't easily noticed or understood.

hardly discernible

Focuses on the difficulty in perceiving or distinguishing something.

not immediately clear

Stresses that understanding requires further thought or investigation.

obscure and vague

Highlights both the lack of clarity and the imprecise nature of the information.

not self-explanatory

Indicates that additional information is needed to understand something.

ambiguous and uncertain

Focuses on the multiple possible interpretations and the lack of sureness.

open to question

Suggests that the matter is debatable or not yet fully established.

subject to interpretation

Implies that the meaning is not fixed and can vary depending on perspective.

dubious and doubtful

Highlights the uncertainty and skepticism surrounding the information.

FAQs

What does "far from evident" mean?

The phrase "far from evident" means that something is not obvious or clear. It suggests that the true nature or explanation of something is not easily understood or apparent.

How can I use "far from evident" in a sentence?

You can use "far from evident" to express that something lacks clarity. For example: "The reasons for the company's decision are "far from evident", leading to much speculation."

What are some alternatives to "far from evident"?

Alternatives include "not obvious", "not clear", "not apparent", or "obscure". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not evident" or "far from evident"?

"Far from evident" implies a greater degree of non-obviousness than simply "not evident". "Not evident" is a more direct statement, while "far from evident" suggests the opposite might have been expected or assumed.