were obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was clear or easily perceived in the past. Example: "The signs of his distress were obvious to everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A few were obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

The incentives were obvious.

The New Yorker

Some results were obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

Its advantages were obvious.

The New York Times - Arts

Flower's strengths were obvious.

The Guardian - Sport

Their goals were obvious.

The New York Times

Some of them were obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

Once our boundaries were obvious.

The Guardian

The agents' suspicions were obvious.

The New York Times

None that were obvious, anyway.

The New Yorker

And the legal risks were obvious.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were obvious" to emphasize that something was easily understood or noticed at a particular time. It's most effective when highlighting a realization or conclusion.

Common error

While "were obvious" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Consider using stronger, more precise verbs or adjectives to convey the same meaning with greater impact and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were obvious" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that certain facts, reasons, or implications were easily perceived or understood. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in contexts where clarity and ease of understanding are emphasized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were obvious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to indicate that something was easily understood or noticed. While it is common across various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media. When writing, consider if a more precise term is needed for a formal context, but otherwise, the phrase is perfectly acceptable to use. Remember that several alternatives, such as "were clear" and "were evident", exist for varied emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were clear

Replaces "obvious" with "clear", focusing on the lack of ambiguity.

were evident

Substitutes "obvious" with "evident", highlighting the easily perceived nature.

were apparent

Uses "apparent" instead of "obvious", emphasizing the readily visible quality.

were plain

Replaces "obvious" with "plain", suggesting simplicity and ease of understanding.

were self-evident

Emphasizes the inherent clarity, suggesting no further explanation is needed.

were manifest

Uses "manifest" to indicate something that is plainly revealed or displayed.

were unmistakable

Highlights the certainty and lack of doubt in what was perceived.

were conspicuous

Emphasizes how easily something attracts attention or becomes noticeable.

were easily seen

Focuses on the visual aspect of something being readily apparent.

were readily apparent

Combines "readily" and "apparent" to reinforce the ease of perception.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were obvious" indicates that something was easily noticed or understood. For example, "The signs of his discomfort were obvious to everyone present."

What's a good alternative to "were obvious"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were clear", "were evident", or "were apparent" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "were obvious" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "were obvious" may sound simplistic in some academic contexts. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives or rephrasing for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "were obvious" and "were evident"?

Both phrases suggest that something was easily perceived, but "were evident" often implies a stronger degree of proof or demonstration than "were obvious".