seemingly obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seemingly obvious" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that appears to be obvious or apparent, but may not be completely clear or true upon closer examination. Example: The conclusion of the experiment seemed seemingly obvious at first, but after analyzing the data further, we realized there were some unexpected factors at play.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Seemingly obvious candidates won't do.

The New York Times - Health

Only one entry suggests the seemingly obvious.

The New Yorker

A seemingly obvious problem resulted.

The New York Times

Of course this isn't the most seemingly obvious patent Apple has been awarded in recent years.

The New York Times

But one particularly impressive -- and seemingly obvious -- guest has eluded Mr. Van Zandt, until now.

The New York Times

Two bits of seemingly obvious advice: Be careful where you click.

The New York Times

Critics responded almost immediately with a seemingly obvious assertion: real elections have winners.

The New York Times

I fear, however, that this seemingly obvious extension to television will never happen.

The Guardian - Tech

WILLIAM, NEW YORK This is a situation where the "seemingly obvious" and the "ethically compulsory" are at loggerheads.

The New York Times - Magazine

It happens almost every year around this time: outrage over the failure to elect a seemingly obvious Hall of Famer.

The New York Times

One seemingly obvious explanation for the presence of engineers in violent groups lies in the terrorist's job description.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seemingly obvious", consider immediately following it with a contrasting statement or explanation to highlight the potential for misinterpretation or oversimplification.

Common error

Avoid using "seemingly obvious" as a dismissive statement. Even if something appears obvious to you, it might not be to everyone. Always provide context and justification to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemingly obvious" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It suggests that something appears to be evident or clear, but this appearance may be deceptive or require further scrutiny. Ludwig AI provides examples that show its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seemingly obvious" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce an idea that appears straightforward but might contain hidden complexities or require further scrutiny. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples from news media, scientific publications, and other sources, confirms its widespread use across various contexts. While the phrase implies an initial sense of clarity, it also hints at the potential for deeper meanings or alternative interpretations. Use it to encourage critical thinking and avoid superficial assumptions. As Ludwig demonstrates, the phrase is versatile and appropriate for a range of writing styles, maintaining a neutral register and promoting thoughtful engagement with the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apparently evident

Replaces "seemingly" with "apparently", emphasizing the outward appearance of being evident.

ostensibly clear

Uses "ostensibly" to highlight that the clarity is based on appearance rather than absolute certainty.

superficially apparent

Emphasizes the surface-level appearance of being apparent, suggesting a lack of depth.

on the face of it, obvious

Introduces a qualifier that something seems obvious based on initial assessment.

prima facie evident

Uses a legal term to indicate something is evident upon first examination.

outwardly manifest

Highlights that something is clearly revealed or displayed externally.

seemingly self-explanatory

Implies that the thing in question appears not to require explanation.

apparently straightforward

Indicates that something looks uncomplicated or easy to understand initially.

at first glance, clear

Highlights that clarity exists only at the initial observation.

ostensibly transparent

Similar to "ostensibly clear", it suggests that transparency is only apparent.

FAQs

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

You can use "seemingly obvious" to introduce a point that appears straightforward, but might have underlying complexities. For example: "The solution was "seemingly obvious", but required a complete understanding of the system architecture."

What can I say instead of "seemingly obvious"?

You can use alternatives like "apparently evident", "ostensibly clear", or "superficially apparent" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "the obvious" or "seemingly obvious"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "The obvious" refers to something that is clearly and undeniably evident. "Seemingly obvious" suggests something appears evident, but might not be upon closer examination. Consider the nuances of the situation when choosing between "the obvious" and ""seemingly obvious"".

What's the difference between "seemingly obvious" and "actually obvious"?

"Seemingly obvious" implies that something appears evident at first, but could be misleading or not entirely true. "Actually obvious" indicates something that is genuinely and undeniably evident. The key difference lies in the potential for deception or hidden complexity; ""seemingly obvious"" things may not be what they appear.