this sounds obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

"this sounds obvious" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the obviousness of an idea or statement. For example: "It's important to stay hydrated - this sounds obvious, but sometimes people forget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

This sounds obvious but evidently isn't.

The New York Times - Arts

If this sounds obvious or intuitive, it is, but so is being loving and kind.

The New York Times

This sounds obvious but is anything but when dealing with media figures.

The Guardian - Sport

If this sounds obvious, the practice of making reseach data available is surprisingly limited.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

This sounds obvious, but in China the mentality has long been "just throw more men at the problem".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Put this way, it sounds obvious, but it isn't what we're doing.

The New York Times

It sounds obvious, but this is a very good place to start, on a platform such as Virgin Money Giving or JustGiving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If this is the case, it sounds obvious, but talk to them and let them know you're there for them.

Independent

It sounds obvious, but this step creates a "chain of custody" that proves your grant package was submitted to the NIH at the appropriate time.

Science Magazine

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

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with a 'but' clause to highlight why the seemingly obvious point needs emphasizing.

Common error

Avoid using "this sounds obvious" for points genuinely understood by your audience. It can come off as condescending. Instead, reserve it for reminders of principles people may know but not consistently apply.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this sounds obvious" functions as a discourse marker. It is typically used to preface a statement that the speaker anticipates might seem self-evident or already known to the listener or reader. It serves to acknowledge the apparent obviousness of the point while still emphasizing its importance or relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this sounds obvious" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a statement that, while seemingly self-evident, warrants emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed across diverse contexts, from news and media to formal business settings, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, be mindful of potentially sounding condescending and ensure the point, though seemingly obvious, benefits from reiteration. The availability of alternatives such as "it seems self-explanatory" or "it's patently clear" offers flexibility in conveying similar meanings with slightly varied tones and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems self-explanatory

Emphasizes the self-explanatory nature of something. Is more direct than "this sounds obvious".

it appears straightforward

Highlights the simplicity and directness of something. It's less conversational.

that's seemingly evident

Stresses the apparent evidence supporting something. It's slightly more formal.

it's patently clear

Indicates something is undeniably obvious. Stronger emphasis than "this sounds obvious".

it's plainly apparent

Highlights the clarity and visibility of something. More emphatic than the original phrase.

it's fairly self-evident

Emphasizes something requires minimal explanation. Adds the qualifier 'fairly'.

that's quite clear

Emphasizes clarity with 'quite', suggesting lesser surprise than "this sounds obvious".

it goes without saying

Indicates a statement is so obvious it needn't be said. More forceful expression.

that much is obvious

Directly states obviousness, without softening introduction of "this sounds".

it should be obvious

Implies expectation that something should already be understood. Slightly more assertive.

FAQs

How can I use "this sounds obvious" in a sentence?

You can use "this sounds obvious" to introduce a statement that seems self-explanatory but needs to be emphasized. For example: "Staying hydrated is important—"this sounds obvious"—but many people still don't drink enough water".

What are some alternatives to saying "this sounds obvious"?

Alternatives include "it seems self-explanatory", "it appears straightforward", or "that's seemingly evident", each varying slightly in formality and emphasis.

Is it ever wrong to use the phrase "this sounds obvious"?

While grammatically correct, using "this sounds obvious" can be perceived as condescending if the point is already well-understood by your audience. Use it judiciously when reiterating principles that are known but not consistently followed.

What's the difference between "this sounds obvious" and "it goes without saying"?

"This sounds obvious" introduces a point that needs stating despite its apparent simplicity, while "it goes without saying" suggests something is so self-evident it almost doesn't need mentioning. The former acknowledges potential oversight; the latter assumes universal understanding.