Cool MateApparent vs Obvious
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Apparent
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Obvious
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
| Apparent | Obvious | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpærənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpærənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈɒbvɪəs//🇺🇸 //ˈɑːbvɪəs// |
| Meaning | Easy to see or understand | Easy to see or understand |
| Example | It was apparent that she had been working hard on the project. | It's obvious that she is very talented. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, seem, become, glaringly, particularly, strongly, to | obvious choice, obvious answer, obvious conclusion |
| Antonyms | hidden, obscure, unclear | hidden, ambiguous, unclear |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'evident' - they have similar meanings but 'evident' can imply stronger proof., Using it inappropriately in emotional contexts where 'clear' would be better., Incorrectly using 'apparent' as a noun. | 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. |
| Usage notes | Use 'apparent' to describe something obvious or clear. It is best used in written form or formal conversations, but not commonly used in casual speech. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Apparent vs Obvious
What's the difference between Apparent and Obvious?
Apparent: Easy to see or understand Obvious: Easy to see or understand
Which is more advanced: Apparent and Obvious?
Apparent is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Apparent and Obvious the same CEFR level?
Apparent: B2, Obvious: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Apparent and Obvious?
Apparent: adjective, Obvious: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Apparent: It was apparent that she had been working hard on the project. Obvious: It's obvious that she is very talented.
Can I use Apparent and Obvious interchangeably?
Not always. Apparent and 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.