overly obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly obvious" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is so clear or obvious that it is almost unnecessary to mention. For example, "She was overly obvious about her distaste for the decision, rolling her eyes and sighing as it was announced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Most schoolchildren know enough not to use overly obvious passwords.

The New York Times

This visual would feel overly obvious if Ms. Taylor-Wood lingered too long on it.

The New York Times

The satire — about religion, medicine, TV culture — is larded unevenly, the homage overly obvious.

The New York Times

"Bloody," for the most part, doesn't take sides or make overly obvious connections.

The New York Times

An installation in the first room makes an overly obvious connection between Greek and Roman Classicism and Minimalism.

The New York Times - Arts

The motorcross trend came in the fit and structure of the outfits, rather than as an overly obvious style.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Everything else feels like a new idea that Mr. Pfeiffer hasn't quite done justice to, and is either vague, derivative, obvious or overly conceptual.

The New York Times

Organized by Jennifer Blessing and Nat Trotman, the museum's curator and associate curator of photography, it swings rather listlessly between the arcane and the obvious, the overly familiar and the unknown, the important and the trifling.

The New York Times - Arts

In the hands of lesser writers, "Orphan Black" might have asked obvious or overly pretentious questions about why these women turned out so differently, but the show allows its serious ideas to sneak in around the edges, rather than drag the whole enterprise down.

Huffington Post

The wines we liked best were not overly fruity nor were they obvious.

The New York Times - Food

However, due to the complexity inherent to many projects, it often remains difficult to determine the reasons for even obvious cases of overly optimistic project planning.

Business Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overly obvious" to describe situations where something is so clear that further explanation is unnecessary or even redundant.

Common error

Avoid using "overly obvious" when the context already implies clarity; doing so can make your writing sound patronizing or belittling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly obvious" functions as an adverbial modifier that intensifies the adjective "obvious". It indicates a degree to which something is apparent, suggesting it's excessively or unnecessarily clear. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "overly obvious" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe something that is excessively clear or apparent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and frequently used phrase across various contexts, though it tends to appear most often in news and media. While grammatically correct, it is important to consider the tone when writing, as using "overly obvious" in the wrong context can make your writing sound patronizing. For alternatives, consider phrases like "terribly obvious" or "too obvious", always keeping in mind the subtle differences in meaning they convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly obvious

Intensifies the degree to which something is apparent, suggesting it's strikingly clear.

overly blatant

Highlights the conspicuous and unsubtle nature of something, making it intensely evident.

too obvious

Indicates that something is so apparent that it might be considered undesirable or clumsy.

extremely obvious

Emphasizes the high degree of clarity and visibility of something.

overtly obvious

Stresses the openly and plainly evident nature of something, leaving no room for ambiguity.

extraordinarily obvious

Highlights that something is unusually clear or apparent.

exceedingly obvious

Implies that something is remarkably clear and easily noticeable.

overly conspicuous

Focuses on the fact that something is excessively noticeable or attracting too much attention.

grossly obvious

Indicates that something is glaringly evident, often to an offensive or distasteful degree.

overly noticeable

Highlights that something is excessively easy to detect or perceive.

FAQs

How can I use "overly obvious" in a sentence?

You can use "overly obvious" to describe something that is very clear and easy to understand. For example: "The moral of the story was "terribly obvious"."

What are some alternatives to "overly obvious"?

Alternatives include "too obvious", "blatant", or "patently clear". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to state something that's "overly obvious"?

Sometimes, stating the "overly obvious" can be useful for emphasis, clarity, or to ensure everyone is on the same page, especially in complex discussions or when addressing a diverse audience.

What is the difference between "obvious" and "overly obvious"?

"Obvious" means easily perceived or understood. "Overly obvious" suggests something is so apparent that it might be considered unnecessary or even irritating to point out.