somewhat obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is clear or evident to a certain degree, but not entirely so. Example: "The solution to the problem was somewhat obvious, yet many still struggled to find it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Rafa's are somewhat obvious," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

A few straight voyeurs were on hand, somewhat obvious in their corporate attire.

The New York Times

Prince & The Revolution Is this maybe the cleverest suggestion, though it appears somewhat obvious?

The New Yorker

And Guns N' Roses' 2008 album Chinese Democracy was banned for somewhat obvious reasons.

The Guardian

It's a gambit that initially feels a little lightweight, somewhat obvious.

The Guardian - Books

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet Is this maybe the cleverest suggestion, though it appears somewhat obvious?

The New Yorker

Quinta do C? 2001 $46 Grande Escolha Douro Big and somewhat obvious with ripe plum and spice flavors.

The New York Times

He was coming off a bona-fide hit, last year's "The Little Dog Laughed," a somewhat obvious satire about the perils of fame.

The New Yorker

These somewhat obvious facts are among the findings of a study of hotel viewing habits conducted for the Hotel Networks, which packages cable stations for use in hotels.

The Economist

They expect what seems somewhat obvious — that Favre came here as a detour on his way to Minnesota, the team he wanted to play for all along.

The New York Times - Sports

He revels in the somewhat obvious, such as the child with "delayed language skills" whose full-time babysitter, it turned out, speaks no English.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat obvious" to acknowledge an idea's simplicity without dismissing it entirely. This approach is useful in academic and professional settings to show respect for existing knowledge while still offering fresh insights.

Common error

Avoid relying on "somewhat obvious" to gloss over critical analysis. Instead, provide clear explanations, even for seemingly straightforward points, to build a stronger, more persuasive argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat obvious" primarily functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It qualifies the degree to which something is apparent or easily understood. Examples available on Ludwig confirm its usage in describing observations or conclusions that are not entirely novel or surprising.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat obvious" is a frequently used adjective phrase that signifies a moderate level of clarity or self-evidence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, indicating that something is reasonably clear or evident, but not entirely so. It appears across diverse contexts, prominently in News & Media and Scientific publications, maintaining a neutral register. To enhance your writing, use "somewhat obvious" to introduce familiar concepts tactfully, and be aware of alternative phrases like "fairly evident" or "moderately clear" to add nuanced shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly evident

Replaces "obvious" with "evident" maintains a similar degree of clarity, but might sound slightly more formal.

reasonably apparent

Uses "apparent" to replace "obvious", conveying a sense of something being noticeable with minimal effort.

moderately clear

Substitutes "obvious" with "clear", emphasizing the ease of understanding, while "moderately" offers a softer tone than "somewhat".

noticeably evident

Adds emphasis with "noticeably", suggesting the observation is slightly easier to make than with "somewhat obvious".

rather plain

Implies simplicity and ease of understanding, focusing more on the lack of complexity than inherent clarity.

slightly self-explanatory

Highlights that something doesn't require much explanation, adding a layer of detail to the concept of obviousness.

somewhat transparent

Suggests the situation is easily seen through or understood, like a transparent object.

a little predictable

Focuses on the foreseeability of something, rather than its inherent clarity.

marginally discernible

Emphasizes the ability to distinguish something, but only just, making it a weaker form of obviousness.

kind of self-evident

Replaces "obvious" with "self-evident", underscoring the idea that something contains its own proof or explanation. Uses the more informal "kind of".

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat obvious" to describe something that is apparent or easily understood to a certain degree, but not entirely so. For instance, "The solution to the problem was "somewhat obvious", yet many still struggled to find it."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat obvious"?

Alternatives include phrases like "fairly evident", "reasonably apparent", or "moderately clear", each offering a slightly different nuance of clarity or self-evidence.

Is it better to say "somewhat obvious" or "very obvious"?

The choice depends on the degree of obviousness you want to convey. "Somewhat obvious" suggests a moderate level of clarity, while "very obvious" implies a high level of clarity. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation you're describing.

What does it mean when something is described as "somewhat obvious"?

When something is described as "somewhat obvious", it means that it is reasonably clear or evident, but not overwhelmingly so. It suggests that the information or conclusion is not entirely new or surprising, but still worth mentioning or considering.