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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
obviously no
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'obviously no' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're expressing a clear negative in response to a question or suggestion. For example: Q: Would you like to go out for dinner tonight? A: Obviously no. I'm broke.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
57 human-written examples
Obviously, no.
News & Media
Obviously no heroin.
News & Media
Obviously no, it's absurd".
News & Media
Fairly obviously, no.
News & Media
There was obviously no defense".
News & Media
Obviously, no swimmer is perfect.
News & Media
"Well, obviously, no," Linklater replied.
News & Media
The answer is obviously no.
News & Media
There was obviously no carryover.
News & Media
"Do I like this? Obviously, no.
News & Media
Most obviously: no hotel rooms needed.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "obviously no" to express a negative answer that is self-evident or widely understood to avoid unnecessary explanation. It's effective when the context makes the negative clear.
Common error
Avoid using "obviously no" in formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or detailed explanation is expected. In such contexts, provide a reasoned argument instead of relying on the perceived obviousness.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
"Obviously no" functions as an emphatic negative response, indicating a clear and often self-evident rejection or disagreement. It combines an adverb of certainty (obviously) with a negative particle (no), reinforcing the negativity. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in responses where the answer is deemed self-explanatory.
Frequent in
News & Media
65%
Science
15%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Social Media
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "obviously no" is a frequently used phrase to express a clear and evident negative response. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though less common in formal writing. The phrase combines the certainty of "obviously" with the negativity of "no", making it a direct and emphatic way to dismiss a question or suggestion. Its prevalence in news media and common conversation underscores its utility in everyday communication. When a more nuanced or detailed response is expected, consider using alternatives such as "clearly not" or providing a more reasoned explanation.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
clearly not
Replaces "obviously" with "clearly", emphasizing the ease of understanding or perceiving the negative.
evidently not
Uses "evidently" to highlight that the negative is plain from the available information.
patently not
Employs "patently" to underscore that the negative is undeniably obvious.
plainly no
Uses "plainly" to indicate that the negative is straightforward and easy to see.
of course not
Adds a sense of certainty and expectation to the negative response.
absolutely not
Emphasizes the negativity with a strong affirmation.
certainly not
Highlights the surety of the negative.
assuredly no
Stresses the confidence in the negative response.
unquestionably not
Indicates that there is no room for doubt about the negative.
without a doubt no
Emphasizes that there is no uncertainty regarding the negative.
FAQs
How can I use "obviously no" in a sentence?
Use "obviously no" to give a clear and evident negative answer. For example, "Do you think this plan will work? Obviously no."
What are some alternatives to saying "obviously no"?
You can use alternatives like "clearly not", "of course not", or "absolutely not" depending on the context.
When is it appropriate to use "obviously no"?
It is appropriate when the negative answer is self-evident or commonly understood. However, avoid using it in formal or academic settings where more detailed explanations are expected.
Is "obviously no" suitable for formal writing?
While grammatically correct, "obviously no" is generally considered informal. Formal writing often requires more elaborate and reasoned responses rather than relying on perceived obviousness.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested