was already obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was already obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was clear or evident before a certain point in time. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was already obvious that the team had made a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

His promise was already obvious.

The Guardian

If anything, the controversies generated by the Republican challenger's trip have confirmed what was already obvious.

Independent

Of course, this was already obvious to all but the most "colorblind" observers.

The Guardian - Opinion

The capture of the Mississippi, in other words, was already obvious enough to be noticed by a journalist.

The New Yorker

"Today, Speaker Boehner confirmed to his conference what was already obvious," said Representative Nancy Pelosi of California.

The New York Times

It was already obvious, though, that some things were taking place that had never been seen before.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The essentials are already obvious.

Independent

It is already obvious that fire is a particular hazard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His propensity for proving doubters wrong is already obvious.

The Guardian - Sport

It's already obvious that 2014 is going to be a big year for African novels.

The Guardian

The differences between south and north are already obvious to see.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was already obvious" to concisely indicate that a fact or situation was known or easily understood before a particular event or statement. This can help streamline your writing by avoiding unnecessary explanations of well-known information.

Common error

Avoid using "was already obvious" when describing nuanced or complex situations where the 'obviousness' might be subjective or depend on specific prior knowledge. This can alienate readers who lack that knowledge or perceive the situation differently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was already obvious" functions as an adjectival phrase providing commentary on a situation or fact. It asserts that something was known or easily understood prior to a specific moment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was already obvious" is a versatile and common construction used to assert that something was known or easily understood before a certain point. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. Analysis of its usage reveals that it primarily functions as an adjectival phrase with the communicative purpose of emphasizing the self-evidence of information. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news media, academic writing, and general communication. While the phrase is generally used correctly, careful consideration should be given to the audience's knowledge base to avoid alienating or confusing them. Alternatives like "was readily apparent" or "was abundantly clear" can provide slight shifts in nuance depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was readily apparent

Replaces "obvious" with "apparent", suggesting something is easily perceived or understood.

was abundantly clear

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity of something that was obvious.

was plainly evident

Highlights the ease with which something could be seen or understood.

was clearly discernible

Focuses on the ability to distinguish or recognize something easily.

was easily understood

Directly states that something presented no difficulty in comprehension.

was a foregone conclusion

Indicates that the outcome or result was inevitable and predictable.

was an open secret

Suggests that something was widely known but not formally acknowledged.

was self-evident

Implies that something is obvious without needing explanation or proof.

was no surprise

Highlights that something did not cause astonishment or unexpectedness.

was to be expected

Indicates that something aligned with anticipations or predictions.

FAQs

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

You can use "was already obvious" to indicate that something was easily understood or known before a specific event or statement. For example, "It "was already obvious" that the project was over budget before the final report was released."

What are some alternatives to "was already obvious"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was readily apparent", "was abundantly clear", or "was plainly evident" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "was already obvious"?

Yes, using "was already obvious" can be inappropriate if the information wasn't actually common knowledge to your audience, or if the situation is more nuanced and requires further explanation. Ensure your audience shares the same understanding before using the phrase.

What's the difference between "was already obvious" and "became obvious"?

"Was already obvious" indicates that something was known or easily understood beforehand, while "became obvious" suggests that something came to light or became clear at a specific point in time. They have opposite meanings related to the point where they become obvious.