superficially obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "superficially obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears clear or evident at first glance but may require deeper analysis to fully understand. Example: "While the solution seems superficially obvious, a closer examination reveals several underlying complexities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The connection between last year's cycling gold rush in Beijing and the best ever Tour de France for Great Britain is superficially obvious: Bradley Wiggins won two gold medals 11 months before finishing fourth in the Tour, the multiple Tour stage winner Mark Cavendish was the only GB track rider to come home without a medal.

The Guardian - Sport

None of these tumors was superficially obvious or palpable.

Breast Cancer Research

Masculine and feminine nouns without superficially obvious grammatical gender as well as plural nouns without superficially obvious grammatical number were visually and auditorily presented.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Analogously, if questions about the adverse health effects of airborne particulates had been restricted to lung function, the superficially obvious target organ, the association with cardiovascular function, its primary adverse effect, would have been overlooked.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Superficially, there are obvious similarities; both went to Oxford, were deeply influenced by their fathers, spoilt their wayward sons and were skilled at manipulating populist sentiments.

The Guardian - Books

Students who knew Mr. Bohler, at least superficially, said they saw no obvious signs that he was so troubled that he might consider suicide.

The New York Times

Superficially, apart from a few obvious signs of pollution and deterioration, things do not look that serious, and the planet could continue as it is for some time.

Huffington Post

Superficially, biomechanics can look simple or obvious, but closer study often reveals unexpected mechanical features.

Nature's Machines An Introduction to Organismal Biomechanics

Superficially, at least, Nicks and Smith aren't obvious analogues.

The New Yorker

But because the message is so obvious and the Sims ecology only superficially evoked, the installation as a whole falls flat.

The New York Times - Arts

To the obvious objection that systems that are superficially similar might have radically different structural features, he answers thatcellular automata can still be useful models, even if the underlying mechanisms of natural phenomena are totally different.This reply is not convincing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "superficially obvious" when you want to highlight that an initial assessment may be misleading or incomplete, encouraging deeper investigation or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "superficially obvious" as a substitute for thorough analysis. Acknowledge that what seems clear at first may conceal important nuances or hidden factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "superficially obvious" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier. It qualifies a noun by indicating that its obviousness is only apparent on the surface and not necessarily reflective of a deeper truth. This is consistent with the Ludwig examples provided, where the phrase is used to describe connections or characteristics that require further scrutiny.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "superficially obvious" is used to describe something that appears clear at first glance but may not be upon closer inspection. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, though relatively rare. It commonly appears in both news media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to signal that the initial obviousness might be misleading, encouraging a more in-depth analysis. Alternatives include "apparently evident" or "seemingly evident".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Superficially apparent

A more formal alternative with a similar meaning.

Apparently evident

Focuses more on the readily visible nature of something.

Seemingly evident

Highlights the aspect of how something appears, possibly masking a deeper reality.

Apparent at first glance

Stresses the immediacy of the initial impression.

Evidently superficial

Reverses the emphasis, suggesting that the superficiality itself is evident.

Seemingly straightforward

Highlights the perceived simplicity of something.

On the surface, clear

Emphasizes the initial appearance versus a deeper understanding.

Ostensible clarity

Indicates a claim of clarity that may be misleading.

Visually unambiguous

Focuses on the lack of visual ambiguity.

Superficially self-explanatory

Highlights that something appears easy to understand without needing explanation.

FAQs

What does "superficially obvious" mean?

The phrase "superficially obvious" describes something that appears clear or evident at first glance but may require deeper analysis to be fully understood.

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

You can use it to describe a connection, a solution, or a feature that seems clear initially but may not be upon closer inspection. For example: "The connection between the two events is "superficially obvious", but further investigation is needed."

What are some alternatives to "superficially obvious"?

Alternatives include "seemingly evident", "apparently evident", or "ostensible clarity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I avoid using "superficially obvious"?

Avoid using "superficially obvious" if you intend to convey that something is genuinely and completely obvious without any hidden complexities. In such cases, "obvious" alone might suffice.