obviously speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obviously speaking" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when you want to indicate that something is clear or evident in a conversational context. Example: "Obviously speaking, we all know that teamwork is essential for success in any project."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As the niece, Victoria Hamilton - obviously speaking the truth and on the brink of breakdown - takes her already fine acting into another dimension.

The Guardian

"I'm obviously speaking to Sky at the moment and I think it should be sorted this week with where I go," Thomas told BBC Wales Sport.

BBC

It's obviously speaking to the audience she's trying to reach.

Huffington Post

These Internet gurus are obviously speaking rock-solid truth that cannot be argued with.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The image obviously spoke to Márai.

The New Yorker

"Actions," Mr. Silver said, "obviously speak louder than words".

The New York Times

It's a state of affairs that obviously speaks to the present moment".

The Guardian - Books

"If he really was there, it obviously speaks to the hypocrisy of the mayor," he said.

The New York Times

But three straight 2-point victories obviously speak to a common denominator called coach.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've obviously spoken to Leicester and Thomas will be flying later today".

The Guardian - Sport

The boatman, who obviously spoke no English, gestured for me to move to the bow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obviously speaking" to introduce information that is seemingly self-evident to the listener, creating a conversational tone and implying shared understanding.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences with "obviously speaking" in close proximity. This can make your writing sound repetitive and condescending. Opt for synonyms or rephrase to vary your sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obviously speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the entire sentence or clause. It is used to preface a statement, indicating that the speaker believes the point being made is self-evident or should be clear to the listener. Ludwig AI identifies its conversational usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obviously speaking" serves as a conversational lead-in, suggesting that the speaker is about to state something self-evident. While grammatically acceptable, it's relatively rare and leans towards a neutral to informal tone, making it more suited for news articles and general media than formal academic writing. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that something is clear or evident in a conversational context. When using this phrase, remember to avoid overuse and consider the audience to maintain a clear and effective communication style. Be sure to consider "clearly stating" or "evidently speaking" for more formal environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly stating

Emphasizes clarity in the manner of speaking.

evidently speaking

Highlights that the statement is based on evident facts.

plainly putting it

Indicates a straightforward and uncomplicated expression.

to be frank

Emphasizes honesty and directness in the communication.

in an obvious manner

Focuses on the evident nature of the speech.

as is plain to see

Highlights the easily observable nature of the topic.

it's clear that I'm saying

Emphasizes the clarity of what the speaker is conveying.

obviously conveying

Highlights obviousness in communication.

in no uncertain terms

Emphasizes the directness and explicitness of the statement.

it goes without saying

Suggests the information is so obvious it need not be stated.

FAQs

How can I use "obviously speaking" in a sentence?

Use "obviously speaking" to introduce a point that you believe is self-evident or easily understood. For example, "Obviously speaking, clear communication is key to any successful project".

What are some alternatives to "obviously speaking"?

Consider using alternatives such as "clearly stating", "evidently speaking", or "plainly putting it" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is "obviously speaking" always appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "obviously speaking" leans towards a conversational tone and might not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Assess your audience and the context to determine if a more formal expression would be preferable.

What is the difference between "obviously speaking" and simply saying "obviously"?

Adding "speaking" emphasizes that what follows is the speaker's perspective on what is obvious. Simply saying "obviously" implies a general, universally acknowledged truth, while "obviously speaking" makes it clear that this obviousness is from the speaker's point of view.