was obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was clear or easily understood in the past. Example: "The solution to the problem was obvious to everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The irony was obvious.

Independent

The passion was obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

The implication was obvious.

The New York Times

"It was obvious".

The New York Times

It was obvious why.

The New York Times

"That was obvious".

The New York Times - Sports

The inference was obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

The connection was obvious".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A few were obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

The cycle is obvious.

The Economist

Suddenly, it's obvious.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was obvious", ensure the context provides sufficient information for the reader to understand why it was obvious. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was obvious" when describing something that requires specialized knowledge or intricate reasoning. This can come across as condescending or dismissive of the complexity involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was obvious" functions as a linking verb (was) followed by an adjective (obvious). It asserts a quality or state of being regarding a subject, indicating that something was easily perceived or understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was obvious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something was easily understood or apparent in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in formal business and scientific domains. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of potential connotations of condescension or oversimplification and to consider synonyms like "was apparent" or "was clear" for variety. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of its usage, common errors to avoid, and related phrases for enriching your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was apparent

Emphasizes that something was clearly visible or understood.

was clear

Highlights the lack of ambiguity or confusion surrounding something.

was evident

Stresses that something was easily perceived or demonstrated.

was plain to see

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

was unmistakable

Indicates something could not be confused with anything else.

was self-evident

Implies something was obvious without needing explanation.

was conspicuous

Focuses on something being very noticeable or attracting attention.

was readily apparent

Combines ease of understanding with clear visibility.

was beyond doubt

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of questioning surrounding something.

was a foregone conclusion

Indicates an outcome was certain and predictable.

FAQs

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

Use "was obvious" to indicate that something was easily understood or apparent in the past. For example, "The solution to the problem "was obvious" once we looked at the data."

What are some alternatives to "was obvious"?

You can use alternatives such as "was apparent", "was clear", or "was evident" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "was obvious"?

While grammatically correct, using "was obvious" might be inappropriate if the matter was not actually clear to everyone involved or if it implies condescension. Consider your audience and the context.

What's the difference between "was obvious" and "was apparent"?

"Was obvious" suggests something was easily understood with minimal effort, while "was apparent" emphasizes that something was clearly visible or noticeable. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight ease of understanding or clear visibility.