it is not obvious why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not obvious why" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a vague or unknown reason for something. Example: "It is not obvious why John chose to quit his job."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not obvious why.

The Economist

Still, it is not obvious why this variant of the EDAR gene was favored.

The New York Times - Science

Tory MPs complain endlessly about their coalition partner; it is not obvious why.

The Economist

But it is not obvious why the police would be any likelier to enforce it.

The Economist

It is not obvious why elephants should need this mathematical faculty in the wild.

The Guardian

After 16 Qd4, it is not obvious why Ehlvest did not counter with 16... b5!

The New York Times

However, it is not obvious why those with political power would ever tolerate the constraints imposed by an independent court.

Harvard University

If he was ready for England in January, it is not obvious why he is not now.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus it is not obvious why petitioner should find less protection in the First Amendment than do established print or electronic media.

Cornell University

On the first question, it is not obvious why sustainable development should require no change whatever in CO2 concentrations, as the energy footprint implicitly demands.

The Economist

At first glance, it is not obvious why working your leg muscles should have a direct effect on your mental state.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not obvious why" to introduce a question or a point of uncertainty when presenting an argument or analysis. It signals that further investigation or explanation is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not obvious why" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "I don't know why" or "it's unclear why" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not obvious why" functions as an introductory expression that sets up a question or a point of uncertainty. It indicates that the reason behind something is not immediately apparent and requires further consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not obvious why" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that introduces uncertainty or a lack of clear reasoning. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most commonly found in scientific, academic, and news contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for neutral to formal writing, with alternatives available for more casual settings. The expert rating confirms its high quality and appropriate use in diverse sources, emphasizing its role in prompting further investigation or explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's unclear why

Changes the structure to a simpler construction using "unclear" instead of "not obvious".

It's puzzling why

Replaces "not obvious" with "puzzling" to denote something confusing or difficult to understand.

It's not readily apparent why

Adds "readily" to emphasize that the reason is not easily seen or understood.

The reason is not immediately apparent why

Adds emphasis by stating that the reason isn't "immediately apparent".

Why is it not immediately clear

Rephrases the sentence as a direct question, highlighting the lack of clarity.

It remains a mystery why

Uses "mystery" to highlight the lack of understanding or explanation.

It's hard to fathom why

Employs "fathom" to suggest a deeper level of difficulty in understanding.

It's difficult to discern why

Employs "discern" to indicate a challenge in perceiving or understanding the reason.

The rationale is obscure why

Uses "obscure" to indicate that the reason is vague or not easily understood.

The explanation is elusive why

Uses "elusive" to convey that the explanation is hard to grasp or define.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is not obvious why" to sound more direct?

You can use phrases like "it is unclear why" or "it is puzzling why" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more direct tone.

Is "it is not obvious why" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "it is not obvious why" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to point out a lack of clear explanation or understanding in a reasoned and analytical manner. It can be replaced by "the rationale is unclear" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "it is not obvious why" and "it is not clear why"?

While similar, "it is not obvious why" implies that the reason is not easily perceived or understood upon initial consideration, while "it is not clear why" simply suggests a lack of clarity. The former can be a bit more emphatic in highlighting the missing reasoning.

When should I use "it is not obvious why" instead of stating the problem directly?

Use "it is not obvious why" when you want to introduce a question or problem that requires further explanation or analysis, rather than immediately providing a solution. For instance, "It is not obvious why the experiment failed; we need to examine the variables further."