obvious truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obvious truth" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to something that is clearly and unquestionably true. Example: "It is an obvious truth that the sky is blue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is a plain and obvious truth.

The New York Times

And beneath that trademark Johnson bluster lies an obvious truth.

The Economist

That creation occurs in various art mediums is an obvious truth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It turned out his winning formula was the obvious truth: "Help me out, please!

The New York Times

It was like a parent trying to coax a lying child into admitting an obvious truth.

The New Yorker

There was a time when she'd have been afraid to say even this, the obvious truth.

The New Yorker

And it contains an obvious truth: women do care about the economy.

The New Yorker

At the risk of stating the obvious, truth and fact are not the same things.

The New York Times - Books

Terrorism brings home to us this now obvious truth of the modern world.

The Guardian

And, as events in Liverpool ground on, an obvious truth began to rise to the surface.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's an obvious truth that abstract dance is never really abstract.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "obvious truth" with a brief explanation or example. This helps to reinforce the point and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "obvious truth" as a conversation stopper. While a point may seem self-evident to you, others might have valid reasons to disagree or offer alternative perspectives. Instead, frame it as your understanding and invite discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obvious truth" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a particular fact or principle as being self-evident and widely acknowledged. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts to emphasize clear and easily understood realities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obvious truth" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize facts or principles considered self-evident. While its meaning is straightforward, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding condescending. Various alternatives exist, such as "plain truth" or "evident fact", that can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media contexts, according to Ludwig examples, but appears less often in more specialized domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plain truth

Emphasizes the simplicity and straightforwardness of the truth, similar to "obvious truth" but with a focus on its lack of complexity.

evident fact

Replaces "truth" with "fact", highlighting the factual and verifiable nature of the obvious statement.

clear reality

Uses "reality" instead of "truth", underscoring the undeniable existence of the fact being stated.

undeniable fact

Stresses that the truth cannot be denied or disputed, adding a layer of certainty.

unquestionable truth

Highlights that the truth is beyond doubt or questioning, implying a high degree of certainty.

self-evident truth

Emphasizes that the truth is apparent without needing proof or explanation.

patent fact

Uses "patent" to describe the obviousness, suggesting the fact is easily discernible.

manifest reality

Employs "manifest" to highlight the clear and apparent nature of the reality.

glaringly obvious

Uses an adverbial phrase to emphasize the extreme obviousness of something.

easily understood fact

Replaces the single adjective with a phrase that directly indicates easy comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "obvious truth" to introduce a statement that is widely accepted or easily understood. For example, "It's an "obvious truth" that regular exercise benefits your health".

What are some alternatives to "obvious truth"?

Alternatives include "plain truth", "evident fact", or "clear reality". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "obvious truth" since truth is generally assumed to be obvious?

While "truth" often implies something evident, "obvious truth" emphasizes the undeniable and easily recognizable nature of the statement. It can be used for rhetorical effect or to reinforce a widely accepted idea.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "obvious truth"?

Use "obvious truth" when you want to highlight that something is self-evident and requires little to no further explanation. Be mindful of your audience to avoid sounding patronizing.