largely obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is mostly clear or evident, often in a context where the speaker believes the information should be easily understood by others. Example: "The solution to the problem was largely obvious to anyone with experience in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Our straw poll reveals that most professional evolutionary biologists consider these processes conceptually simple (mutation, selection, fixation), and any solutions largely obvious (combination therapy, reduced drug use).

Evolutionary Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

My decision to come to Wyoming was based largely her obvious commitment to seeing students succeed.

The New Yorker

The influences that make particular children into particular adults are, as you say, largely either obvious or irremediably obscure.

The New York Times - Books

Although Barny narrates the story, her reasons for meeting with the priest remain largely implied if obvious.

The New York Times

Amid the introspection in "Ages of the Moon" is the largely unspoken but obvious role that alcohol has played in Ames's dissipation.

The New York Times

That's largely because his obvious replacement, Omar Gonzalez, tasked with the simple task of helping tidy up in the box with the US defending a lead, was once again awol, as he had been when given the same task as a late sub against Nigeria.

The Guardian - Sport

The tip and outside surface of rhinophores are largely devoid of obvious cilia.

BMC Biology

4 Discrimination is largely based on obvious stigmatising characteristics such as race or appearance, 5 and little attention has been paid to less visible or invisible stigmatising statuses, such as homosexuality and homosexual behaviour.

BMJ Open

The band largely steered clear of obvious borrowed local color, like second-line rhythms.

The New York Times - Arts

She was a frontrunner throughout the competition, largely because of her obvious vocal talents.

The Guardian - Music

However, the film later developed a cult following largely because of its obvious affection for old Hollywood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "largely obvious" to describe insights or solutions that are relatively straightforward but not necessarily universally recognized. This acknowledges a degree of subtlety while emphasizing ease of understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "largely obvious" when the matter is completely self-evident to everyone. This can come across as condescending or unnecessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely obvious" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is mainly clear or evident. As shown in Ludwig, it describes solutions, facts, or characteristics that are readily apparent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "largely obvious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something is mainly clear or evident. As confirmed by Ludwig, this adjective phrase is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it when describing something completely self-evident to prevent sounding condescending. Ludwig also provides alternatives such as "mostly apparent" or "mainly evident" for slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly apparent

Emphasizes the degree to which something is visible or noticeable.

mainly evident

Highlights the clear and unmistakable nature of something.

generally clear

Focuses on the overall clarity and ease of understanding.

broadly understood

Highlights wide acceptance and comprehension.

largely understood

Stresses widespread comprehension with a slight degree of incompleteness.

mostly transparent

Implies easy detectability or recognizability.

predominantly clear

Emphasizes the dominant state of clarity.

substantially evident

Highlights the significant degree to which something is apparent.

markedly obvious

Emphasizes that something is noticeably evident.

chiefly apparent

Focuses on the primary or main aspect of being obvious.

FAQs

What does "largely obvious" mean?

The phrase "largely obvious" means that something is mainly or mostly evident, clear, or easily understood. It suggests that while there might be minor complexities, the core idea is apparent.

How can I use "largely obvious" in a sentence?

You might say, "The solution to the problem was "largely obvious" after analyzing the data." It indicates that the solution became clear after some investigation.

What are some alternatives to "largely obvious"?

You can use alternatives like "mostly apparent", "mainly evident", or "generally clear" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "largely obvious" formal or informal?

The phrase "largely obvious" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's often more appropriate in analytical or explanatory writing where you're assessing the degree of clarity of something.