which is obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is obvious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is clear or self-evident to the speaker or writer. Example: "The solution to the problem is straightforward, which is obvious to anyone who has studied the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of which is obvious to Mr. McNerney.

The New York Times

The answer, which is obvious, will not please either side.

The Guardian - Opinion

But on her own merit, which is obvious enough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which is obvious from his seven books about Frances.

The New York Times

Melia Bensussen is credited, boldly, with direction, which is obvious and repetitious.

The New York Times

She is talking about her determination, which is obvious, and her aims, which aren't, always.

The New Yorker

Which is obvious anyway, because all of your party still possess their original noses.

The Guardian - Travel

There are plenty of emotional fireworks in this big, soupy but entertaining picture, which is obvious Oscar bait.

The Guardian - Film

In truth, London is caught in the confluence of two immensely complex phenomena, neither of which is obvious or easy to solve.

The New Yorker

Software can work in a way which is obvious to the user, and gives considerable feedback during and after the analysis.

Advances in Engineering Software

"I don't want to be neutered... one thing which is obvious is you can't be chairman of the BBC and sound off on things".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is obvious" sparingly to avoid sounding condescending or belittling the reader's intelligence. Consider alternatives like "clearly" or "evidently" for a more subtle approach.

Common error

Avoid using "which is obvious" excessively in academic or professional writing, as it can come across as informal or even dismissive. Opt for more precise language that conveys clarity without stating the obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is obvious" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a preceding statement. It signals that the speaker or writer believes something is easily understood, as supported by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is obvious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that acts as a nonrestrictive relative clause to highlight the self-evidence of a statement. Ludwig’s analysis of numerous real-world examples reveals its prevalence across news, media, and scientific domains, though it’s less common in more formal business or academic writing. While grammatically "correct", as validated by Ludwig AI, its directness may not always be appropriate. It's best practice to use it judiciously, considering context and audience, and to explore alternative phrases like "which is evident" or "it goes without saying" for a more nuanced approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which is evident

Replaces "obvious" with "evident", suggesting something easily noticed or apparent.

which is apparent

Uses "apparent" instead of "obvious", implying something clear and easily understood.

which is clear

Substitutes "obvious" with "clear", indicating something easily perceived without confusion.

which is plain to see

Emphasizes the ease of understanding, making it very direct.

which is self-evident

Highlights that the truth is contained within itself and requires no proof.

as is manifest

More formal substitution using "manifest", implying something unmistakably revealed.

that much is clear

Shifts the focus to the clarity of the previous statement.

it stands to reason

Suggests a logical conclusion is apparent, moving away from direct obviousness.

it goes without saying

Implies something is so obvious it doesn't need to be mentioned.

that's a given

Indicates something is a presupposition or already understood.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which is obvious" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "which is evident", "which is apparent", or "which is clear" to maintain a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "which is obvious" in writing?

The phrase "which is obvious" is appropriate when you want to emphasize something that is easily understood or readily apparent to the reader. However, use it sparingly to avoid sounding condescending.

What are some less direct ways to express that something is obvious?

You can use phrases like "it goes without saying" or "it stands to reason" to imply that something is obvious without explicitly stating it.

Is "which is obvious" always grammatically correct?

Yes, "which is obvious" is grammatically correct when used as a relative clause to provide additional information about something that is already clear. For example, "The outcome was predictable, which is obvious in hindsight."