manifestly obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manifestly obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is clearly and evidently true or easily seen and understood. Example: It was manifestly obvious that she was only pretending to be interested in the conversation, as she kept checking her phone every few minutes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Its failure was manifestly obvious.

The Guardian

Many pollsters don't even bother asking about international issues because it seems manifestly obvious that they're not terribly important.

The New York Times

Second, in a jarring contrast to his conviction that most Māori of the time were impoverished, Openshaw tried to argue that the withdrawal of Washday in response to the MWWL protest showed that Māori had 'too much power' - despite it being manifestly obvious that as a whole Māori are relatively powerless in today's society, and have been since at least 1900.

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

Gardner apparently felt no need to provide evidence for this assertion, as if the reality of the imminence of an IS attack on the United States homeland should have been manifestly obvious to all viewers.

Vice

So, when the grand jury acted in a manner and fashion which provided no accountability whatsoever (even minimal accountability as justice demanded), such generated a hue and cry across the spectrum about the manifestly obvious injustice.

Huffington Post

Gardner apparently felt no need to provide evidence for this assertion, as if the reality of the imminence of an IS attack on the United States homeland should've been manifestly obvious to all viewers.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

GROVESAshford, KentCut Europe adriftSIR The case that Europe needs America ("Weathering the storm", September 9th) is manifestly clear and obvious.

The Economist

The appeal of the idea that the country should "look after its own people first" is obvious somewhere that manifestly hasn't been looked after.

Vice

It is not obvious that the equal-time commutation relations are Lorentz invariant but one can formulate a manifestly covariant form of the canonical commutation relations.

SEP

Clarke is manifestly innovative in the field by the placement of his fielders and by bowling changes which are seldom obvious.

The Guardian - Sport

The problem is obvious: one cannot consistently claim both that pleasure is the good, and that courage and intelligence (which are manifestly not instances of pleasure, or derivative of it, or even coextensive with it) are goods.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When choosing between "manifestly obvious" and a simpler phrase like "clearly obvious", consider the tone you want to convey; "manifestly obvious" can add a touch of formality and emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "manifestly obvious" in very casual or informal settings, as it can come across as overly formal or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "obviously" or "clearly" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manifestly obvious" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the degree to which something is apparent. The phrase emphasizes that something is not just obvious, but undeniably and evidently so. Ludwig examples confirm its use in asserting self-evident truths.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "manifestly obvious" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that emphasizes something is undeniably evident. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, it appears in reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times and is used to make assertions with clarity and force. While the phrase can add emphasis, it’s better suited to formal contexts, where its slightly elevated tone fits well. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "obviously" or "clearly" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently clear

Replaces "manifestly obvious" with a different adjective emphasizing the clarity of something.

blindingly obvious

Emphasizes the inescapability of the obviousness.

plainly apparent

Uses synonyms for both words to convey the same meaning.

unmistakably clear

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in the obviousness.

undeniably evident

Focuses on the impossibility of denying the obvious fact.

crystal clear

Emphasizes the extreme clarity and easiness of understanding.

readily apparent

Highlights how easily something can be seen or understood.

easily discernible

Focuses on the ease with which something can be distinguished or recognized.

palpably obvious

Conveys a sense of something being so obvious it can almost be felt.

unquestionably obvious

Highlights that it is completely beyond question that something is obvious.

FAQs

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

"Manifestly obvious" is typically used to describe something that is not only apparent but also undeniably true or easily understood. For example: "It was manifestly obvious that she was upset, given her tear-filled eyes and trembling voice."

What are some alternatives to "manifestly obvious"?

Some alternatives to "manifestly obvious" include "patently clear", "blindingly obvious", and "plainly apparent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "manifestly obvious" redundant?

While both "manifestly" and "obvious" indicate something easily perceived, "manifestly obvious" can be used for emphasis. The redundancy strengthens the statement, indicating that something is unmistakably clear.

What's the difference between "manifestly obvious" and "clearly obvious"?

Both phrases indicate something is easy to understand, but "manifestly obvious" carries a stronger emphasis and a more formal tone compared to "clearly obvious". "Manifestly obvious" suggests the clarity is undeniable and self-evident.