that was obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something was clear or easily understood, often in response to a statement or situation. Example: "When she explained the solution, I realized that it was something I should have known all along; that was obvious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But he loved Josh, that was obvious.

The Guardian

One such essay, "Mahatma Gandhi: the Missing Laureate," offers a glimpse into a decision that was obvious only in hindsight.

The New York Times - Tech

Rays Manager Joe Maddon said Upton "just did not run as hard as he possibly could have after the ball -- that was obvious.

The New York Times

So rather than admit as much, the Jets fashioned an Orwellian environment in which they consistently denied a reality that was obvious to everyone.

The New York Times

One new development that was obvious was at McLaren, who have new, small wings on the bodywork beside the driver.

BBC

It was a pattern that was obvious but not planned.

Huffington Post

The poor man was in dreadful need, that was obvious.

Vice

She hadn't won the gold (albeit, only by a hundredth of a second), that was obvious.

Huffington Post

But he's utterly incapable of doing the job, a point that was obvious even before Monday.

Vice

That surprises him even more than the fact that he was blind to [something that was obvious to everyone else].

Huffington Post

"So the first color that was obvious was pink because it's set in the world of ballet.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was obvious" to succinctly express that something was easily understood or apparent to most observers.

Common error

While "that was obvious" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing where more sophisticated synonyms like "it was evident" or "it was apparent" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was obvious" functions as an adjective phrase functioning as a comment or assessment on a prior statement or situation. It indicates that something was readily apparent or easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was obvious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote something readily apparent or easily understood. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communication. While "that was obvious" is perfectly acceptable, remember to consider more formal alternatives such as "that was clear" or "that was evident" in highly professional settings. With a strong expert rating and abundant examples, the phrase is a reliable choice for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was clear

Replaces "obvious" with "clear", emphasizing ease of understanding.

that was apparent

Uses "apparent" to highlight the evident nature of something.

that was evident

Substitutes "obvious" with "evident", suggesting something is easily perceived.

that was plain to see

Emphasizes the visibility and ease of understanding.

that was unmistakable

Highlights the lack of ambiguity, making it difficult to misunderstand.

that was undeniable

Focuses on the impossibility of disputing or denying the fact.

that was conspicuous

Indicates something is very noticeable or prominent.

that was noticeable

Highlights that something could be easily observed.

that was palpable

Suggests the feeling or quality was so intense it was almost tangible.

that was a given

Implies that something was a certainty or already known.

FAQs

How can I use "that was obvious" in a sentence?

You can use "that was obvious" to express something easily understood. For example, "After seeing the data, "that was obvious"".

What are some alternatives to "that was obvious"?

Alternatives include "that was clear", "that was apparent", or "that was evident", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that was obvious to me"?

Yes, "that was obvious to me" is correct and emphasizes that something was easily understood from your personal perspective.

What's the difference between "that was obvious" and "it was obvious"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "That was obvious" may sometimes carry a slightly more informal tone than "it was obvious".