immediately obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immediately obvious" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means something that is clear or evident without needing further explanation or thought. Example: It was immediately obvious that she was nervous, as she fidgeted with her hands and avoided eye contact.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not immediately obvious?

The Guardian

It's not immediately obvious.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

– aren't so immediately obvious.

The Guardian - Arts

The answer isn't immediately obvious.

The New Yorker

The possibilities seemed immediately obvious.

The New York Times

That's not so immediately obvious.

Yale University

That's not immediately obvious either.

Yale University

Many are not immediately obvious.

The Guardian

This is not immediately obvious.

The New York Times - Arts

Crudup's talent was immediately obvious.

The Guardian - Film

But this isn't immediately obvious.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediately obvious" to emphasize a point that requires no further explanation or is evident upon initial observation. This phrase is particularly effective in situations where clarity and directness are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "immediately obvious" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it may come across as condescending or dismissive. Consider more nuanced alternatives like "readily apparent" or "clearly evident" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediately obvious" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun or situation. It emphasizes the ease and speed with which something can be understood or perceived. Ludwig showcases numerous examples where this phrase clarifies observations or conclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "immediately obvious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys something is easily and quickly understood or noticed. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adjectival modifier and is most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in formal writing to avoid sounding condescending. Alternatives like "instantly apparent" or "readily apparent" can offer a more nuanced tone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely accepted in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instantly apparent

Emphasizes the speed at which something becomes clear.

readily apparent

Highlights the ease with which something is noticed or understood.

plainly evident

Stresses the clear and straightforward nature of the evidence.

easily seen

Focuses on the visual aspect of something being obvious.

clearly visible

Like "easily seen", it emphasizes the visual aspect and lack of ambiguity.

patently obvious

Implies that something is so obvious it's almost absurd to point it out.

blatantly clear

Suggests a forceful or undeniable clarity.

unmistakably clear

Highlights the absence of any ambiguity or possibility of misunderstanding.

self-evident

Indicates that something is obvious without needing proof or explanation.

directly observable

Focuses on empirical evidence, something can be seen or measured directly.

FAQs

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

You can use "immediately obvious" to describe something that is easily and quickly understood or noticed. For example, "It was immediately obvious that she was upset."

What are some alternatives to "immediately obvious"?

You can use alternatives like "instantly apparent", "readily apparent", or "plainly evident" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "immediately obvious" or "obviously immediate"?

"Immediately obvious" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Obviously immediate" is less idiomatic and might sound awkward.

What's the difference between "immediately obvious" and "immediately apparent"?

While both phrases are very similar, "immediately obvious" suggests something is easily understood, while "immediately apparent" suggests something is easily noticed or visible. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize understanding or visibility.