Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it's self-explanatory
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
9 human-written examples
And it's self-explanatory.
News & Media
It's self-explanatory, that's what it is".
News & Media
It's self-explanatory what sort of person he represents himself to be.
News & Media
Asked about the e-mail message, Mr. Silverman said: "It's self-explanatory.
News & Media
"Under the safety guidelines, we say a reactor should not be built on an active fault — it's self-explanatory," Mr. Tanaka said at a news conference.
News & Media
It's self-explanatory almost.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
51 human-written examples
Nafziger says that smaller confectioners in these markets are likely to move to being palm oil free because it is deemed simpler than selling RSPO, as it is self-explanatory.
News & Media
The president told his writers he was comfortable with the unfamiliar overwatching because it was "self-explanatory" and better than backing up or supporting; when assured it would not cause a problem when translated into Arabic, he O.K.'d its inclusion into his speech.
News & Media
See, I told you it was self-explanatory.
News & Media
The reason for the overrepresentation of positive correlations must remain speculative, however it is self-explanatory that clusters of commonly co-regulated genes or metabolites will enrich the pool of positive correlations independently of general increase or decrease.
Science
It is self-explanatory that a stem cell only deserves this designation if the observed fundamental capacities represent intrinsic features of the native cell in vivo, rather than being achieved by artificial treatments or molecular reprogramming.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "it's self-explanatory" when you want to indicate that something is so obvious or easy to understand that no further explanation is necessary. This can save time and avoid condescension.
Common error
Avoid using "it's self-explanatory" too frequently. Overuse can make your writing sound dismissive or lazy. Instead, sometimes just present the information without comment and allow the reader to understand it themselves.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it's self-explanatory" primarily functions as a commentary adverbial. It serves to characterize a piece of information or instruction as requiring no additional explanation, indicating its obviousness or ease of understanding. Ludwig examples reinforce this function across diverse contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Wiki
30%
Science
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Encyclopedias
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "it's self-explanatory" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to indicate that something is easily understood without further explanation. Ludwig examples reveal it's most frequently encountered in News & Media and Wiki contexts and has a neutral register. Though, keep in mind to not overuse it in your writing. While the phrase is generally acceptable, be mindful of potentially more sophisticated synonyms for extremely formal purposes.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it's easily understood
Changes the phrasing to emphasize the ease of understanding.
it's readily apparent
Replaces "self-explanatory" with "readily apparent", focusing on the obviousness of the information.
it's quite clear
Uses "quite clear" to convey the straightforward nature of the information.
it's fairly obvious
Emphasizes the obviousness of the information using "fairly obvious".
it's intuitively obvious
Highlights the intuitive nature of understanding.
it's evident
Replaces "self-explanatory" with "evident", indicating that the information is easily seen or understood.
it's a no-brainer
Uses a more informal expression to convey ease of understanding.
the explanation is unnecessary
Shifts focus to the lack of need for explanation.
it requires no further explanation
States directly that no further explanation is needed.
the meaning is clear
Simplifies the phrase to focus on the clarity of meaning.
FAQs
How can I use "it's self-explanatory" in a sentence?
You can use "it's self-explanatory" to indicate that something is obvious or easily understood without needing further explanation. For example, "The instructions are included, so "it's self-explanatory"".
What does "it's self-explanatory" mean?
"It's self-explanatory" means that something is so clear and easy to understand that no additional explanation is needed.
What are some alternatives to "it's self-explanatory"?
Some alternatives include "it's easily understood", "it's readily apparent", or "it's quite clear". These phrases all convey that something is obvious or requires no further explanation.
Is "it's self-explanatory" formal or informal?
"It's self-explanatory" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although in very formal writing, a more sophisticated synonym might be preferred.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested