kind of obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'kind of obvious' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrase which can be used to mean something is easy to understand and clear. For example: "It's kind of obvious that she isn't interested in going out with him".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's kind of obvious.

The Guardian

It was kind of obvious from there".

The New York Times

The answer seems kind of obvious.

The New York Times - Magazine

Well, it's kind of obvious.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Isn't that kind of obvious?" I asked.

The New York Times

I'll leave that one out, was kind of obvious.

The New York Times

"He'll take anything, as is kind of obvious".

The New York Times

This class lacks the same kind of obvious difference maker.

The New York Times

"That sounds kind of obvious," Mr. Wilson said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is kind-of obvious, but if you research any saint, you will find that all of them were truly kind to everyone and everything that the meet.

WikiHow

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of obvious" to gently point out something that might have been overlooked, especially in informal settings. It's less confrontational than saying something is "obvious".

Common error

Avoid using "kind of obvious" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "evident", "apparent", or "manifest" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of obvious" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a statement, softening the assertion of something being easily understood or apparent. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates something is easy to understand and clear. Examples show it applied to various situations to describe easily perceived facts or conclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

13%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kind of obvious" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is easily understood or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, showing its wide applicability in general communication. While versatile, remember to use it judiciously in formal settings, opting for more refined alternatives like "clearly evident" to maintain a professional tone. Alternatives such as "pretty clear" or "fairly apparent" provide similar meanings with slight nuances. This phrase is best used to express agreement, mild surprise, or gentle disagreement without sounding overly assertive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty clear

Similar in tone and implication but slightly more informal.

sort of apparent

Emphasizes the subjective perception of obviousness.

fairly apparent

Indicates a noticeable but not necessarily glaring obviousness.

rather clear

Highlights the ease of understanding, focusing on clarity more than the obviousness.

plain to see

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the obviousness, implying it's easily noticeable.

somewhat evident

Emphasizes a lesser degree of clarity compared to "kind of obvious".

reasonably evident

Suggests a logical deduction leading to an obvious conclusion.

easily seen

Highlights how simple is to notice or see it.

more or less obvious

Highlights the varying degrees of obviousness, suggesting it might not be completely clear.

somewhat conspicuous

Focuses on the noticeable aspect of something that is obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of obvious" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of obvious" to express that something is easily understood or apparent. For example, "It's kind of obvious that he's not telling the truth".

What can I say instead of "kind of obvious"?

You can use alternatives like "pretty clear", "fairly apparent", or "somewhat evident" depending on the context.

Is "kind of obvious" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of obvious" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "clearly evident" or "patently obvious".

What's the difference between "kind of obvious" and "obvious"?

"Kind of obvious" implies a slightly lesser degree of certainty or impact compared to simply saying something is "obvious". It's a more gentle or nuanced way of pointing out something that's easily understood.