knew obviously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knew obviously" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when indicating that something was clear or apparent to someone in the past, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "He knew obviously that the project would fail without proper funding."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He knew obviously on what side his national bread was buttered, and we liked him better for it.

The New Yorker

And, even if I knew, obviously I would not tell The New Yorker — which divisions, where, and how much — and allow the Egyptian government to finish them off.

The New Yorker

Well, you knew, obviously.

Huffington Post

They knew, obviously, that the old Charlie Hebdo offices had been firebombed.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

You know, obviously, old habits die hard.

The New York Times

It was a shock, you know, obviously".

The New Yorker

You know, obviously he knew I trained him in the off-season".

The New York Times - Sports

But, you know, obviously I would have liked to have done a bit better this week".

Independent

I don't know, obviously I'm not in the government any more".

The Guardian

"You know obviously nothing we do will ever bring her daughter back," Mr. Garr says.

The New York Times

"You know, obviously, ideally there would be apartments for all," says Aaron Long of LIHI.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "knew obviously" in informal conversation, be mindful of your audience, as this can be perceived as conversational filler.

Common error

Avoid overuse of phrases like "knew obviously" in formal writing. They can dilute your message and undermine your authority. Instead, focus on presenting factual information and well-supported arguments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knew obviously" functions as a verb phrase where 'knew' is the past tense of the verb 'know' and 'obviously' is an adverb modifying it. According to Ludwig, it is not a common usage. The phrase indicates a state of awareness or understanding in the past, modified by an adverb indicating clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "knew obviously" is used to indicate that someone was aware of something in the past, and that this knowledge was apparent. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's an awkward phrasing. While grammatically acceptable, alternatives like "clearly knew" or "evidently knew" often provide better clarity and impact. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it's less common in formal academic or scientific writing. To enhance your writing, consider replacing "knew obviously" with stronger, more direct alternatives to avoid redundancy and improve readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly knew

Emphasizes the clarity of the knowledge.

evidently knew

Highlights that the knowledge was apparent from the evidence.

undoubtedly knew

Stresses that the knowledge was certain and without doubt.

certainly knew

Indicates a strong degree of certainty in the knowledge.

plainly knew

Suggests the knowledge was easily understandable and evident.

obviously understood

Replaces "knew" with "understood" to add a layer of comprehension.

knew very well

Emphasizes the depth and extent of the knowledge.

was clearly aware

Changes the structure to focus on awareness rather than direct knowledge.

was fully cognizant

Uses more formal language to express complete awareness.

knew without a doubt

Emphasizes the certainty and conviction in the knowledge.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "knew obviously"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly knew", "evidently knew", or "certainly knew depending on the context.

Is "knew obviously" grammatically correct?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, "knew obviously" can sound awkward. It's generally better to use a more direct phrasing to ensure clarity.

How can I improve my sentence that uses "knew obviously"?

Try replacing "knew obviously" with stronger adverbs that emphasize certainty or clarity, such as "clearly", "evidently", or "undoubtedly".

When is it appropriate to use "knew obviously"?

It might be suitable in very informal conversation, but it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Always consider your audience and the tone you want to convey.