was obvious that a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was obvious that a" is not correct as it is incomplete and lacks a subject or context.
It can be used in a sentence where you want to express that something was clear or evident, but it needs to be completed for clarity. Example: "It was obvious that a decision needed to be made quickly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It was obvious that a new talent had arrived.

The Guardian - Film

It was obvious that a simple incorporation of Lithuania into Poland was not possible.

Britannica

It was obvious that a little investigative journalism was needed here.

The New York Times

It was obvious that a good portion of the homes in Bricktown had been foreclosed.

The New Yorker

"It was obvious that a lot of the ideas just felt dated," Cortazar told me.

The New York Times

That evening, though, it was obvious that a compromise could not be reached.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It must be obvious that a serious and significant [sentence] must be considered".

Independent

It's obvious that a lot of them are considering doing the same thing.

The New York Times

"In your 30s, it's obvious that a finite amount of things will happen".

The New York Times - Magazine

It's obvious that a Joseph Wright museum in the city would be a real asset.

The Guardian - Arts

It's obvious that a designer didn't put it together.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using phrases like "was obvious", ensure the sentence structure is complete and grammatically sound. For instance, specify who found it obvious or what made it obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "was obvious that a" without a clear subject or complete thought. Instead, specify what "a" refers to: "It was obvious that a decision was needed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was obvious that a" functions as part of a clause expressing certainty or recognition. However, it often introduces an incomplete thought, needing completion to form a grammatically sound sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it requires a subject and a predicate to convey a complete idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "was obvious that a" is relatively common, it is grammatically questionable, frequently leading to incomplete sentences. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase requires completion for clarity. For improved writing, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "it was clear that" or "it was apparent that" to ensure grammatical correctness and clearer communication. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was clear that

Replaces "obvious" with "clear", maintaining the meaning of easily perceived or understood.

it was apparent that

Substitutes "obvious" with "apparent", emphasizing that something was easily noticeable.

it was evident that

Replaces "obvious" with "evident", indicating that something was easily seen or proved.

it became clear that

Highlights the process of something becoming obvious over time.

it was plain that

Uses "plain" instead of "obvious", suggesting something was straightforward and easy to understand.

it was easily seen that

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

it was understood that

Focuses on the understanding or acceptance of something, rather than just its visibility.

it could be seen that

Emphasizes the ability to perceive or recognize something.

it was a given that

Implies something was already known or assumed to be true.

it stood to reason that

Suggests that something was logical or expected based on the circumstances.

FAQs

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

To use it correctly, complete the sentence by specifying what followed after "that a". For example, "It "was obvious that a" change was necessary".

What are some alternatives to "was obvious that a"?

Consider using phrases like "it was clear that", "it was apparent that", or "it was evident that" for improved clarity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was obvious that a"?

While commonly found, the phrase "was obvious that a" often leads to incomplete sentences. Ensure the sentence is fully constructed for grammatical correctness. For example: "It "was obvious that a" mistake had been made".

How does the meaning change when using "it was clear that" instead of "was obvious that a"?

The meaning remains largely the same, but "it was clear that" provides a more complete and grammatically sound structure, enhancing clarity and readability.