mostly obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is generally clear or evident, but may have some nuances or exceptions. Example: "The solution to the problem was mostly obvious, but a few details required further consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This was mostly obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's mostly obvious through her abilities.

The Guardian - Tech

"Natural Selection" has some funny jokes, and it handily takes the festival prize for sheer ambition in its desire to envision where various pernicious cultural trends will lead us, but as serious topical satire, it is mostly obvious and jejune.

The New York Times

The country's differences are mostly obvious, familiar to anyone who hasn't been living in a cave (at least one without Wi-Fi).

Huffington Post

The survival benefit is mostly obvious for DFS.

BioMed Research International

No smoking, alcohol or drugs at an investigation for mostly obvious reasons.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In the downhill, there are gates, but they mostly reflect obvious terrain features -- chutes through rock formations, twisting channels around forests and launching ramps off humps that send skiers soaring for as long as 150 feet.

The New York Times

However those advantages are mostly not obvious and the decision where to use hybrid workplaces are usually solely based on experience and intuition of the planning engineer.

Procedia CIRP

This, at least would explain why every few minutes fog is wafting onto the stage, mostly without obvious dramatic need.

Huffington Post

And then, Ms. Holofcener said, there's the obvious: "Mostly she's just really cute".

The New York Times

The exhibition wants to generate a punkish energy, but its means are mostly crude and obvious.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mostly obvious" to acknowledge that while something is generally clear, there may be subtle details or exceptions that require further attention.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly obvious" when the situation is entirely unclear or requires significant explanation. Instead, consider phrases that acknowledge the complexity or ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly obvious" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It indicates the degree to which something is clear or evident, suggesting that while it is generally understood, there may be some nuances or exceptions. As Ludwig AI states, it’s considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly obvious" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that is generally clear but may have subtleties or exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse sources, including news, science, and wikis, lending it a neutral register. When using this phrase, acknowledge the overall clarity but prepare to address any potential nuances. Alternatives such as "largely evident" or "generally apparent" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely evident

Emphasizes the extent to which something is clear.

generally apparent

Focuses on the overall visibility or understandability.

plainly discernible

Highlights the ease with which something can be distinguished.

readily understandable

Stresses the ease of comprehension.

for the most part clear

Indicates that clarity exists in the majority of cases.

mostly self-explanatory

Highlights the inherent understandability of something without needing much explanation.

largely transparent

Focuses on the lack of hidden aspects or ambiguity.

basically straightforward

Emphasizes the simplicity and lack of complications.

generally speaking, clear

Introduces a general perspective of clarity, allowing for exceptions.

quite noticeable

Highlights that something is easily seen or detected.

FAQs

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

You can use "mostly obvious" to describe something that is generally clear or evident, but may have some minor complexities. For example, "The solution was mostly obvious, but some details needed further consideration."

What are some alternatives to "mostly obvious"?

Some alternatives include "largely evident", "generally apparent", or "plainly discernible", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "mostly obvious"?

It's appropriate to use "mostly obvious" when you want to convey that something is generally understood, but there might be some nuances or exceptions that prevent it from being completely clear.

Is "mostly obvious" considered formal or informal?

"Mostly obvious" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.