it is not obvious to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not obvious to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is not clear or apparent to a particular person or group. Example: "It is not obvious to everyone that the solution requires a multi-step approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

It is not obvious to people that I need one, so I am frequently asked why I have one.

The New York Times

But if lessons have been learned, it is not obvious to Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSF.

The Guardian

Although it is not obvious to people who are already signed up, joining Twitter is a confusing experience.

The Guardian - Tech

I know we don't have a good architecture to assemble the ideas, but it is not obvious to me that we are missing components".

The New Yorker

Still, however erratic the weather may have become, it is not obvious to most people how global warming could lead to frigid winters.

The New York Times - Science

But with the collapse of the Doha round of trade talks, it is not obvious to whom the Europeans should make their offers.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But it isn't obvious to everyone.

Huffington Post

Obviously it is but it isn't obvious to us, not really.

Huffington Post

If it isn't obvious to you, try to use disposable cups and plates, and have trashcans handy to lessen the pickup.

WikiHow

It's not obvious to young women that there is a problem.

The New York Times

It's not obvious to me that the answer is simple.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not obvious to" to express a subjective lack of understanding or clarity. Be specific about who does not find something obvious to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not obvious to" in very broad statements. Instead of saying, "It is not obvious to people that climate change is real", specify who the statement applies to: "It is not obvious to some segments of the population that climate change is real."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not obvious to" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of clarity or understanding. It implies that a particular fact, concept, or situation is not readily apparent to a specific person or group. Ludwig's examples show how it frames perceptions and acknowledges potential misunderstandings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not obvious to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of clarity or understanding from a specific point of view. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is useful across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While the phrase itself is straightforward, effective usage involves specifying who lacks the understanding to avoid ambiguity. Remember that, while generally neutral, the phrase can lean towards formal depending on the setting. Common synonyms include "it is not clear to", "it is not apparent to", and "it is not evident to", offering slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is not clear to

Replaces "obvious" with "clear", indicating a lack of clarity.

it is not apparent to

Uses "apparent" instead of "obvious", suggesting something is not easily perceived.

it is not evident to

Substitutes "obvious" with "evident", implying a lack of readily available proof or understanding.

it is not self-evident to

Adds "self-" to emphasize that the understanding is not inherent or intuitive.

it is not immediately clear to

Adds "immediately" to specify that the lack of clarity is instantaneous.

it is not readily apparent to

Combines "readily" and "apparent" to indicate that something is not easily seen or understood.

it is not intuitively obvious to

Adds "intuitively" to highlight that the understanding does not come naturally.

it is not easily understood by

Shifts the focus to ease of understanding rather than obviousness.

it is hard to discern for

Uses "hard to discern" to convey the difficulty in perceiving or understanding something.

it is difficult for someone to see

Expresses the difficulty of understanding from someone's perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not obvious to" in a sentence?

Use "it is not obvious to" to indicate that something is not clear or apparent to someone. For example, "It is not obvious to new users how to navigate the website".

What phrases are similar to "it is not obvious to"?

Alternatives include "it is not clear to", "it is not apparent to", or "it is not evident to", which all convey a lack of understanding or clarity.

Is "it is not obvious for" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "it is not obvious for" is less common and idiomatic than "it is not obvious to". The preposition "to" is generally preferred to specify who lacks the understanding.

What is the difference between "it is not obvious to" and "it is obvious to"?

"It is not obvious to" indicates a lack of clarity or understanding, while "it is obvious to" signifies that something is clear and easily understood by someone.