patently obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

'patently obvious' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something is so obviously true or evident that it does not require any explanation. For example, "It was patently obvious to everyone that the plan had not been well thought out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I asked M-CAM to run EMG's patent through its Patently Obvious database, which compares claims across millions of patents.

TechCrunch

"That's patently obvious.

The New York Times

The result is now patently obvious.

The Economist

"It's patently obvious I can't predict my own future.

The Economist

"The meaning of that is patently obvious," he said.

The Guardian

Could anything be more patently obvious without any research?

The New York Times

That project's forced wit and laborious execution are echt Kippenberger: faintly amusing and patently obvious.

The New Yorker

It is patently obvious that there is much to celebrate regarding recent HIV breakthroughs.

Independent

It was patently obvious that Higgins and his manager, Pat Mooney, had been set up.

The Guardian

It's just patently obvious that in this case, what the owner is doing is not fair".

The New York Times

That's patently obvious and to deny that is to deny reality".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently obvious" to express that something is so evident it requires no further explanation or justification. It is effective in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the clarity of a point.

Common error

Avoid using "patently obvious" when a simpler term like "obvious" or "clear" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently obvious" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "obvious". It serves to emphasize the clarity and undeniable nature of a particular fact or situation. According to Ludwig, its usage is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patently obvious" is a commonly used phrase to emphasize that something is undeniably clear and easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When writing, consider using synonyms like "blindingly obvious" or "plain as day" to avoid repetition and to adjust the tone. While it’s a useful phrase for emphasizing clarity, be mindful of not overusing it in overly simple situations. The most frequent authoritative sources in Ludwig are The New York Times, The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blindingly obvious

Emphasizes the extreme clarity and inescapability of the obvious fact.

plain as day

A more informal and idiomatic way to say something is easily seen or understood.

clear as crystal

Highlights the transparency and ease of understanding.

readily apparent

A slightly more formal way to say something is easily noticed or understood.

immediately evident

Focuses on the quickness with which something becomes obvious.

unmistakably clear

Stresses the lack of ambiguity in the obvious fact.

impossible to miss

Indicates that something is so obvious it cannot be overlooked.

undeniably obvious

Emphasizes that the obviousness cannot be refuted or denied.

transparently obvious

Highlights the lack of hidden factors or obscurity.

open and shut case

Suggests the obviousness is so strong that no further deliberation is necessary.

FAQs

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

You can use "patently obvious" to emphasize that something is easily recognized or understood. For example, "It was "patently obvious" that the company was heading for financial trouble".

What are some alternatives to "patently obvious"?

Some alternatives include "blindingly obvious", "plain as day", or "readily apparent". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone.

Is it better to say "patently obvious" or "clearly obvious"?

"Patently obvious" carries a stronger sense of undeniable clarity than "clearly obvious". The choice depends on how emphatic you want to be. In most situations, "clearly obvious" is milder and more appropriate.

What does "patently" mean in "patently obvious"?

"Patently" means "clearly" or "undeniably". It intensifies the meaning of "obvious", suggesting that something is not only obvious but also impossible to dispute.