that sounds obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sounds obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something you are saying or writing is obvious or appears to be self-evident. For example, you might say, "Regular exercise is important for your health — that sounds obvious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It's one of those things that sounds obvious but the mathematics is quite hard".

The New York Times - Science

So that was something that sounds obvious in hindsight, but as I was sitting there, boy, for me this was a thunderbolt.

The New York Times

Yeah, I know, today that sounds obvious.

TechCrunch

But I mean, Ben Graham used to say, "the future is uncertain," which is a statement that sounds obvious.

Forbes

This is another one that sounds obvious but is something that nearly everyone is guilty of.

Huffington Post

Another one that sounds obvious, but consistency, integrity, ingenuity and reliability are things that make or break leaders.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The thing she taught me — and this sounds obvious — is that behavior is a function of consequence.

The New York Times

Although this sounds obvious, people have done it anyway.

WikiHow

He goes through this incredible deductive process from Point A to Point B, and by the time he explains everything, it makes so much sense that it sounds obvious and simple.

The New York Times

Leadership on trade is still to be hoped for, and pressed for.Put like that, it sounds obvious.

The Economist

That probably sounds obvious.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sounds obvious" to acknowledge a point's self-evidence before expanding on its less apparent implications. This can preemptively address potential objections and signal intellectual honesty.

Common error

Avoid using "that sounds obvious" excessively in your writing, as it can come across as condescending or dismissive of the reader's intelligence. Instead, vary your language with alternative phrases and ensure the points you address as obvious truly are.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds obvious" functions as a disclaimer or a transitional phrase. It signals that the speaker or writer recognizes the potential for a statement to be perceived as self-evident, often before elaborating on the nuances or less apparent implications. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that sounds obvious" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for acknowledging the apparent self-evidence of a statement before delving into further details. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and highlights its function as a disclaimer or transitional phrase. While it is most frequently encountered in News & Media contexts, it is important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding condescending. Consider using alternatives, like "that seems self-evident", in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems self-evident

Replaces "sounds obvious" with a more formal synonym "self-evident".

that much is obvious

Reorders the sentence structure to emphasize the obviousness.

that appears clear

Substitutes "sounds" with "appears" and "obvious" with "clear", emphasizing clarity.

that is evidently clear

Uses "evidently" to highlight the readily apparent nature of something.

that is plainly apparent

Uses "plainly apparent" to highlight the ease of recognition.

it's patently obvious

Uses "patently" to intensify the degree of obviousness.

that's crystal clear

Employs a more emphatic and informal tone.

that is glaringly obvious

Emphasizes the high degree of obviousness.

it goes without saying

Indicates that something is so obvious it doesn't need to be stated.

that's a no-brainer

Uses an informal idiom to convey ease of understanding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that sounds obvious" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that seems self-evident" or "that appears clear" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "that sounds obvious" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "that sounds obvious" may be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more neutral phrasing to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "that sounds obvious" and "that is obvious"?

"That sounds obvious" acknowledges the apparent self-evidence of a statement, while "that is obvious" directly asserts its obviousness. The former can be less confrontational.

When is it best to use "that sounds obvious" in writing?

Use "that sounds obvious" when you want to acknowledge that a point might seem self-evident but needs further explanation or qualification. It sets the stage for delving into the nuances.