obviously

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'obviously' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is self-evident or easily understood, or to emphasize something. For example, "It was obvious from the start that she had a great talent for music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are obviously devastated at the loss".

The Guardian

"The time has obviously now come for us to put the case more strongly and more coherently," he said.

The Guardian

Chope asked Cameron in the first question at prime minister's questions: "Can [he] say in response to the many concerns expressed in yesterday's debate will he ensure that civil partnerships are open to heterosexual couples on an equal basis with homosexual couples?" The prime minister replied: "I will obviously listen carefully to what he says.

The Guardian

He said Kelly "did not agree" with the original minute and, when asked what comment Kelly had made when he was shown the original, Brown replied: "None, I don't think … It was obviously a minute prepared by someone who didn't have a lot of experience in writing cabinet minutes.

The Guardian

According to a "well-informed source", it "was not her strategy for world peace" that snared Clooney (obviously not – intellect is repulsive in a woman): it was that she "played hard to get".

The Guardian - Opinion

There's no reason for children to avoid caffeine drinks unless they become overactive after having them, which obviously isn't the case with your son.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We have obviously had now 11 suspected cases [of Ebola], all of which have been negative after testing," he said.

The Guardian

You'd obviously like to keep it as low as possible, and know if it's getting too long.

The Guardian

"He is just a pure striker and that is what comes out after the transfer requests and him saying: 'It's better for me to leave because I want to play Champions League.' When we heard that Arsenal might be interested in him, obviously we were up for it and we thought, 'Yeah, he would fit in.' But after, we got Özil".

The Guardian - Sport

After all, as both a former and prospective host of MTV's Punk'd, they obviously have an affinity with abject dreadfulness.

The Guardian - Film

"As I've said consistently and as the opposition has been advised, we are working with our partners who have announced support and a presence within west Africa, including obviously the US and the UK but other European and Asian partners as well, about what arrangements we could put in place if we were minded to send Australian health workers into west Africa," he said in Brisbane on Sunday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obviously" to highlight points that are easily understood or self-evident to avoid unnecessary explanation. However, be mindful of your audience to avoid condescension.

Common error

Avoid using "obviously" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound patronizing or imply that your audience is less intelligent than they are. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "it is clear that" or "it is evident that".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obviously" is as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates that something is easily perceived or understood. Ludwig AI confirms this use through numerous examples across varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obviously" functions as an adverb used to indicate that something is easily perceived or understood. It is grammatically correct and very common in written English. Ludwig AI confirms its wide use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Sports, and Lifestyle. While versatile, be mindful of overuse to avoid sounding patronizing. Consider alternatives such as "it is clear that" or "of course" depending on the desired level of formality. Ludwig's extensive database provides numerous examples of "obviously" in context, aiding in effective and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is clear that

Replaces "obviously" with a more explicit statement of clarity.

it is evident that

Uses "evident" to convey the easily seen nature of something.

it is apparent that

Employs "apparent" to indicate something is readily visible.

it goes without saying

Suggests the point is so clear it doesn't need to be stated.

of course

A more direct and casual way of indicating something is clear.

as anyone can see

Highlights the ease with which something can be observed.

plainly speaking

Emphasizes directness and lack of ambiguity.

it's plain to see

Uses "plain" to convey ease of understanding.

it's a given

Indicates something is a known or accepted fact.

undeniably

Stresses the incontrovertible nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "obviously" in a sentence?

"Obviously" is used to indicate that something is easily perceived or understood. For example, "Obviously, it's important to study before a test" suggests that this fact is self-evident.

What can I say instead of "obviously"?

You can use alternatives like "it is clear that", "of course", or "plainly speaking" depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "obviously"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "obviously". It's a common way to introduce a point that you assume is already understood by the listener or reader.

What's the difference between "obviously" and "evidently"?

"Obviously" suggests something is easily perceived or understood, while "evidently" implies that something is clear based on the available evidence. They are similar but not always interchangeable.