it was conspicuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was conspicuous" is correct and commonly used in written English.
Example: "Among the crowd of people, the celebrity's bright red dress was especially conspicuous." This sentence means that the celebrity's dress stood out and was very noticeable compared to everyone else.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

New Delhi did not intervene on behalf of Tibetan protesters even though their leader, the Dalai Lama, was described by the Indian prime minister as the "personification of non-violence" — and it was conspicuous in its silence over the protests in Burma.

The Guardian - Opinion

IN THE end, it was conspicuous for the chuckles.

The Economist

It was conspicuous that an entire party with thousands of elected officials across America could find, to feature on this important night, only a man who is now out of work both as an actor and a politician (he ran a dreadful presidential campaign) and a former Democrat whose speeches are well known to be the next best thing to Mogadon.

The Guardian

However, it was conspicuous that the catching numbers of all caught fish species were abnormally low compared to the natural productive capacity of this stream type.

Environmental Sciences Europe

It was conspicuous that the crude extract of the d-Carb exhibited a much higher specific activity than the crude extract of the d-Hyd(co) with 1.1 mU/mg (see Table 1).

AMB Express

The supraoccipital ridge on the skull was quite strongly developed, and a biventer muscle attachment in the parietal region below it was conspicuous.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It is conspicuous by its difference -- a new 34-story residential tower in one of Manhattan's heavily commercial neighborhoods.

The New York Times

The name Jake La Motta is the most populous on Robinson's hit-list, yet it is conspicuous by its absence from Ray's knockout tally.

The Guardian - Sport

With its 8ft wingspan and massive nests, it is conspicuous and, unlike the notoriously wary golden eagle, an inquisitive animal.

The Guardian

The one at ground zero, however, stands out not only because it is conspicuous but also because its presence seems to affirm, on a small scale, that the redevelopment of the site is more about money than memory.

The New York Times

"It's power, it's affluence, it's conspicuous consumption.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was conspicuous" when you want to subtly suggest something was noticeable without being overly assertive. It's more nuanced than saying something was "obvious".

Common error

Avoid using "it was conspicuous" in very simple or short sentences where a more direct word like "obvious" or "clear" would be more effective. It can sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was conspicuous" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something was easily noticeable or stood out. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was conspicuous" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned expression used to indicate that something was easily noticeable or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It appears most frequently in Science and News & Media contexts. When writing, consider whether a more direct synonym like "obvious" or "clear" might be more effective in simpler sentences. Remember that using boldface can further emphasize the phrase's importance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was easily noticeable

Replaces "conspicuous" with a more straightforward synonym, focusing on ease of perception.

it stood out markedly

Emphasizes the degree to which something differed from its surroundings.

it was plainly evident

Highlights the clear and obvious nature of something.

it was readily apparent

Indicates something was quickly and easily understood or seen.

it was strikingly obvious

Adds emphasis to the obviousness through "strikingly".

it was quite discernible

Focuses on the ability to distinguish something from its background.

it was prominently displayed

Suggests something was intentionally positioned to be seen.

it was markedly visible

Combines the idea of being clearly seen with a notable difference.

it was unmissable

Indicates that something was impossible to overlook.

it was impossible to ignore

Highlights the compelling nature of something that demands attention.

FAQs

How can I use "it was conspicuous" in a sentence?

Use "it was conspicuous" to describe something easily noticeable or apparent. For example, "It was conspicuous that she was trying to avoid him."

What are some alternatives to "it was conspicuous"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was obvious", "it was noticeable", or "it was apparent" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it is conspicuous" instead of "it was conspicuous"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "It is conspicuous" describes something currently noticeable, while "it was conspicuous" describes something that was noticeable in the past.

What's the difference between "it was conspicuous" and "it was clear"?

"It was conspicuous" suggests something was noticeable or stood out, while "it was clear" suggests something was easily understood. They both refer to something easily noticed, but "clear" focuses on understanding, while "conspicuous" focuses on visibility or noticeability.