it was pretty obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was pretty obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was clear or easily understood, often in a context where the obviousness is being emphasized. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was pretty obvious that he was guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was pretty obvious that we were not part of its [Tata Steel's] model going forward".

The Guardian - Business

It was pretty obvious.

The New Yorker

"It was pretty obvious," Mulcahy says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dan told me, "It was pretty obvious that he was the one with a performing flair".

The New Yorker

"It was pretty obvious who was going to be a good prosthetic candidate".

The New Yorker

It was pretty obvious that there was something special about him.

The Guardian - Sport

"From what I know, it looked like it was pretty obvious what had happened.

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't hard; it was pretty obvious there was going to be a Blair revolution.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Looking at it, it was pretty obvious what it would have done to a person.

The Guardian

It was pretty obvious that Eric would come into the game".

The Guardian - Sport

And it was pretty obvious how much he wanted to laugh.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing the phrase with synonyms like "it was quite clear" or "it was readily apparent" for a more formal tone. Adjust your language based on the intended audience and writing style.

Common error

Avoid using "it was pretty obvious" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "it was evident" or "it was clear" to maintain a consistent tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was pretty obvious" functions as an evaluative statement, indicating that something was easily noticeable or understood. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig show this phrase commonly prefaces explanations or justifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was pretty obvious" serves as a common and grammatically correct way to express that something was easily noticeable or understandable. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is particularly frequent in News & Media. While highly prevalent, it's important to consider the context, opting for more formal alternatives like ""it was evident"" or ""it was clear"" in professional or academic settings. As shown in Ludwig's examples, the phrase often introduces an explanation about something that must be regarded as easily noticeable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite clear

Replaces "pretty obvious" with "quite clear", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

it was fairly clear

Substitutes "pretty obvious" with "fairly clear", indicating a similar level of certainty but with slightly less emphasis.

it was readily apparent

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and emphatic expression.

it was plain to see

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the same meaning, focusing on the ease of understanding.

it was easily seen

Focuses on the visual aspect of something being obvious, implying direct observation.

it was hard to miss

Highlights the difficulty in not noticing something, implying it was very conspicuous.

it was staring you in the face

An idiomatic expression suggesting the obviousness was overwhelming and direct.

the writing was on the wall

An idiomatic expression indicating an inevitable or predictable outcome.

it was a foregone conclusion

Indicates the outcome was certain and predictable, making the current state obvious.

it was beyond question

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of doubt surrounding a particular point.

FAQs

What does "it was pretty obvious" mean?

The phrase "it was pretty obvious" means that something was very easy to notice or understand. It implies that the information was readily apparent and required little effort to comprehend.

Are there more formal alternatives to "it was pretty obvious"?

Yes, for more formal situations, you can use phrases like "it was evident", "it was clear", or "it was readily apparent". These options convey a similar meaning but are more appropriate for professional or academic writing.

How can I use "it was pretty obvious" in a sentence?

You can use "it was pretty obvious" to describe a situation where something was easily noticeable. For example, "After the rain stopped, "it was pretty obvious" that the game would be canceled".

Is "it was pretty obvious" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was pretty obvious" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. However, it's considered relatively informal, so it may not be suitable for all contexts.