Cool MateObvious vs Perfectly clear
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obvious
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Perfectly clear
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Obvious
| Obvious | Perfectly clear | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɒbvɪəs//🇺🇸 //ˈɑːbvɪəs// | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɜːfɪktli klɪə//🇺🇸 //ˈpɜrfɪktli klɪr// |
| Meaning | Easy to see or understand | Completely understandable or obvious. |
| Example | It's obvious that she is very talented. | The instructions were perfectly clear, so everyone understood their tasks. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | obvious choice, obvious answer, obvious conclusion | perfectly clear explanation, perfectly clear instructions, perfectly clear message |
| Antonyms | hidden, ambiguous, unclear | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'oblivious', which means unaware., Using 'obvious' with negative sentences incorrectly, e.g., 'It's not obvious that he is late.', Overusing in formal writing, where 'clear' may be more suitable. | Using 'perfectly clear' in situations where ambiguity exists., Confusing with similar phrases like 'absolutely clear'., Overusing in casual conversations; it's more formal. |
| Usage notes | Use 'obvious' to indicate something that doesn't need explanation. It's neutral and fits in various contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. | Used to emphasize that something is understood without any confusion. Suitable for both speaking and writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Obvious vs Perfectly clear
What's the difference between Obvious and Perfectly clear?
Obvious: Easy to see or understand Perfectly clear: Completely understandable or obvious.
Which is more common: Obvious and Perfectly clear?
Obvious is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Obvious: It's obvious that she is very talented. Perfectly clear: The instructions were perfectly clear, so everyone understood their tasks.
Can I use Obvious and Perfectly clear interchangeably?
Not always. Obvious and Perfectly clear 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.