obviously that was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obviously that was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is clear or evident based on the context or previous information. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was obvious that that was the best decision for the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Obviously, that was intentional.

The New York Times - Sports

But, obviously, that was a no-no.

The New Yorker

"Obviously, that was my best chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously, that was the right move".

The New York Times - Sports

"Obviously that was void the other night".

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously that was the ligament that snapped.

The Guardian - Sport

"Obviously that was not Stephen A's intent, as he said.

The Guardian

But obviously that was some other poor sod's kids.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Obviously that was a big moment for erotic fiction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Obviously, that was way before my time," he said.

The New Yorker

"And obviously that was a great mistake, because nothing happened and it caused great ill will.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obviously that was" to clearly indicate something was evident or easily understood in retrospect. It helps to emphasize a point or provide context based on previous information.

Common error

Avoid using "obviously that was" too frequently, as it can sound condescending or imply that the listener should have already known something. Use it judiciously to highlight genuine clarity, not to belittle someone's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obviously that was" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an implied clause, adding emphasis to the statement. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that the speaker believes something was self-evident or easily understood in retrospect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obviously that was" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the clarity or self-evidence of a past event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is adverbial, adding emphasis and conveying certainty. Although prevalent in neutral contexts like news and media, it's crucial to be mindful of potential condescension when employing it. Alternatives such as "clearly that was" or "evidently that was" can offer similar meanings while mitigating potential negative connotations. It appears almost exclusively in 'News & Media' contexts. Therefore, using the sentence in different contexts would be odd.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly that was

Replaces "obviously" with "clearly", emphasizing the ease of understanding.

evidently that was

Uses "evidently" instead of "obviously", highlighting that the conclusion is based on available evidence.

plainly that was

Substitutes "obviously" with "plainly", indicating straightforwardness and lack of ambiguity.

unquestionably that was

Replaces "obviously" with "unquestionably", strengthening the assertion of certainty.

undoubtedly that was

Similar to "unquestionably that was", but with a slightly softer tone.

certainly that was

Uses "certainly" to express conviction about the past event.

assuredly that was

Emphasizes the confidence in the truth of the statement.

naturally that was

Implies that the event was a logical or expected outcome.

predictably that was

Suggests that the event followed a pattern and was therefore anticipated.

inevitably that was

Indicates that the event was unavoidable or bound to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "obviously that was" in a sentence?

You can use "obviously that was" to emphasize something that is clear in hindsight or based on previous context. For example, "The team hadn't practiced in weeks, so obviously that was why they lost the game."

What are some alternatives to "obviously that was"?

Some alternatives include "clearly that was", "evidently that was", or "plainly that was". These phrases all convey a sense of clarity or inevitability.

Is it correct to say "obviously that is" instead of "obviously that was"?

The choice between "obviously that is" and "obviously that was" depends on the context. Use "obviously that is" when referring to something currently evident. Use "obviously that was" when referring to something that was evident in the past.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "obviously that was"?

It may be inappropriate to use "obviously that was" when the information is not genuinely obvious to everyone, or when you want to avoid sounding condescending. In such cases, a more neutral phrasing may be preferable.