obviousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obviousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the quality of being obvious or easily perceived or understood. Example: "The obviousness of the solution made it clear that no further discussion was needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prosecutors co-ordinating the investigation were led by another woman, Ilda Boccassini, who had argued that the obviousness of the evidence against Mr Berlusconi made a pre-trial hearing unnecessary.

The Economist

First, she agreed with them that, because of "the obviousness of the evidence" they had gathered against him, he should be put on trial without a preliminary hearing.

The Economist

The question of a patent's obviousness is not always so obvious to the average juror.

The Economist

Strengthening the balance sheet…to generate more and better business.(I've omitted the company's name; we're here to enlighten, not to shame).The first thing wrong with this is of course the jaw-slackening obviousness.

The Economist

Obviousness does not guarantee success, however.

The Economist

The dematerialisations have a blunt, unmysterious, material obviousness.

Independent

The self-conscious lantern-lecture aspect just about offsets the psychological patchiness and occasional obviousness.

Independent

The key to survival is accepting our own insignificance: "It is not only a matter of acknowledging it, we must love insignificance, we must learn to love it… in all its obviousness, all its innocence, in all its beauty".

Independent

If I may be sentimental myself, I'd like to remember them both that way: singing, dancing, working as a team, brave enough to entertain us not through obviousness but through intelligence and generosity.

The New Yorker

She could not fend off the impulse to replace it with a red one, though her mother would have hated the obviousness of a red rose against gray stone.

The New Yorker

Or one might multiply the possible explanations, in a card-guessing trick, by going through an elaborate charade of "reading" the spectator's face and voice, so that, when the forced card is guessed, the obviousness of the trick is, well, obviated.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obviousness" when you want to emphasize the quality of something being easily perceived or understood. It's particularly useful in contexts where you want to highlight a lack of ambiguity or complexity.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "obviousness" in complex or nuanced arguments. What seems obvious to one person may not be to another, so always provide sufficient evidence and explanation to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obviousness" is as a noun. It represents the quality or state of being obvious. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is used correctly and commonly in the English language. Examples show its use in discussions of evidence, arguments, and perceptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obviousness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes the quality of being easily understood or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse fields. While versatile, be mindful of potential oversimplification in complex arguments. Consider synonyms such as "self-evidence" or "transparency" to refine your meaning. Its prevalence in News & Media and Science highlights its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidentness

Similar to obviousness, but can carry a slightly more formal or emphatic tone, highlighting undeniable clarity.

self-evidence

Emphasizes the quality of being evident without need for proof or explanation, highlighting inherent clarity.

transparency

Suggests a clear and easily understandable nature, focusing on the lack of obscurity or hidden elements.

patent nature

Highlights the conspicuous and undeniable character of something, emphasizing its overt presence.

palpability

Focuses on the readily perceivable or tangible quality, emphasizing the ease of recognition.

unmistakability

Conveys the quality of being impossible to mistake or misunderstand, stressing the absence of ambiguity.

conspicuousness

Highlights the quality of being easily noticeable or attracting attention, emphasizing prominence.

self-explanatory nature

Indicates that something is easily understood without needing additional explanation, emphasizing its intuitiveness.

readily apparent

Suggests that something is immediately and easily visible or understandable, emphasizing its accessibility.

simplicity

Highlights the quality of being easy to understand or do, emphasizing a lack of complication.

FAQs

How is "obviousness" typically used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "obviousness" is often used to discuss the perceived clarity or self-evidence of a concept or argument. It's also used to critique arguments that oversimplify complex issues by claiming /s/self-evidence.

What are some synonyms for "obviousness" that I can use in my writing?

Some synonyms for "obviousness" include "self-evidence", "transparency", and "evidentness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the word "obviousness"?

It might be inappropriate to use "obviousness" when describing a subject that requires deep understanding or specialized knowledge, or when there's a risk of sounding condescending. In such cases, /s/simplicity or /s/clarity might be better options.

Is there a difference between "obviousness" and "simplicity"?

"Obviousness" refers to the quality of being easily perceived or understood, while "simplicity" refers to the state of being uncomplicated or straightforward. Something can be simple without being immediately obvious, and vice versa.