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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it's not obvious

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not obvious, actually.

News & Media

The New Yorker

If so, it's not obvious.

"It's not obvious," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Maybe they do, but it's not obvious".

News & Media

The New York Times

It's not obvious, that's the first thing.

News & Media

The Guardian

In many places it's not obvious.

It's not obvious that they will.

At the very least, it's not obvious.

"But it's not obvious until it's done".

It's not obvious which is better.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It's not obvious propaganda," he said.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's not obvious" to introduce a counter-argument or a point that requires further explanation. This signals to the reader that the following information will challenge a common assumption or perception.

Common error

Avoid using "it's not obvious" as a standalone statement. Always follow it with an explanation or further details to clarify what is not apparent and why. This provides context and prevents confusion.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

"It's not obvious" functions as a statement of uncertainty or lack of immediate clarity. It indicates that a particular fact, conclusion, or connection is not readily apparent and often precedes an explanation or clarification. As supported by Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce nuance or challenge assumptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's not obvious" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a lack of immediate clarity or understanding. As Ludwig shows, it appears frequently across diverse contexts, from news and media to science and general discourse. Grammatically correct and broadly accepted, the phrase serves as a signal for deeper analysis and clarification. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide context and explanation to avoid ambiguity. Although "it's not obvious" is used across many domains, it is still rare or missing in Formal & Business and Academia contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it's not obvious" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "it's not apparent", "it's not evident", or "it's not clear" depending on the context.

Is "it's not obvious" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it's not obvious" is grammatically correct. It uses the contraction "it's" (it is) followed by the negation "not" and the adjective "obvious". It is a common and acceptable phrase in English.

What does "it's not obvious" mean?

The phrase "it's not obvious" means that something is not easily or immediately understood or noticed. It implies that the information or conclusion requires further thought or explanation.

When should I use "it's not obvious" in my writing?

Use "it's not obvious" when you want to point out that something might be misunderstood or requires additional context. It's useful for introducing a nuanced perspective or challenging a common assumption.

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Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: