Cool MateClearly vs Obviously vs So far so obvious
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clearly
Obviously
So far so obvious
| Clearly | Obviously | So far so obvious | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklɪrli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒbviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːbviəsli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //səʊ fɑː səʊ ˈɒb.vɪ.əs//🇺🇸 //soʊ fɑr soʊ ˈɑbviəs// |
| Meaning | in a way that is easy to see or understand | Clearly or easily seen. | It means something is clear and expected up to this point. |
| Example | She explained the instructions clearly to the new employees. | Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. | The instructions were easy to follow; so far so obvious. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | clearly understand, clearly communicate, clearly see, clearly state, clearly defined | obviously correct, obviously wrong, obviously happy, obviously important, obviously true | so far, so obvious, obvious choice |
| Antonyms | unclearly, obscurely, ambiguous | unclearly, ambiguously | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'clear' instead of 'clearly' as an adverb., Confusing 'clearly' with 'clearer' which is a comparative form., Omitting it in sentences where emphasis is needed. | 'Obvious' vs 'obviously': Confusing the adjective and adverb forms., Using in overly formal situations: It's too casual for very formal writing., Placing it too far from what it's describing: Should be close to the idea it clarifies. | Using it in formal contexts like academic papers., Confusing it with similar phrases that don't convey predictability., Omitting 'so' in the phrase, changing its meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'clearly' to emphasize that something is understandable or obvious. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but may seem overly formal in casual conversations. | Use 'obviously' when something is clear or evident. It's appropriate in most contexts but can seem sarcastic if overused. | Used in casual conversation to indicate that something is predictable or evident. Not typically used in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clearly vs Obviously vs So far so obvious
What's the difference between Clearly, Obviously, and So far so obvious?
Clearly: in a way that is easy to see or understand Obviously: Clearly or easily seen. So far so obvious: It means something is clear and expected up to this point.
Which is more advanced: Clearly, Obviously, and So far so obvious?
Obviously is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Clearly: She explained the instructions clearly to the new employees. Obviously: Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. So far so obvious: The instructions were easy to follow; so far so obvious.
Can I use Clearly, Obviously, and So far so obvious interchangeably?
Not always. Clearly, Obviously, and So far so obvious are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.