Cool MateObvious vs Plain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obvious
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Plain
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
| Obvious | Plain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɒbvɪəs//🇺🇸 //ˈɑːbvɪəs// | 🇬🇧 /["/pleɪn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pleɪn/"]/ |
| Meaning | Easy to see or understand | Simple and without decoration. |
| Example | It's obvious that she is very talented. | The design was quite plain, lacking any decorative elements. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | obvious choice, obvious answer, obvious conclusion | be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very, plain blue, white, etc., be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very, plain blue, white, etc., be, seem, become, fairly, very, etc., to |
| Antonyms | hidden, ambiguous, unclear | fancy, ornate, complicated |
| 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. | 'Plain' is often confused with 'plane' in spelling., Learners might use 'plain' to describe flavor instead of 'bland'., Some use 'plain' incorrectly to mean 'clear' instead of simple. |
| 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. | Use 'plain' to describe something that is straightforward or lacks complexity. It's often used in both written and spoken contexts, suitable for everyday conversation or descriptions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Obvious vs Plain
What's the difference between Obvious and Plain?
Obvious: Easy to see or understand Plain: Simple and without decoration.
Which is more advanced: Obvious and Plain?
Plain is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Obvious and Plain the same CEFR level?
Obvious: B1, Plain: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Obvious and Plain?
Obvious: adjective, Plain: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Obvious: It's obvious that she is very talented. Plain: The design was quite plain, lacking any decorative elements.
Can I use Obvious and Plain interchangeably?
Not always. Obvious and Plain 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.