Cool MateClear as red flame vs Obvious
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clear as red flame
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Obvious
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Most common: Obvious
| Clear as red flame | Obvious | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //klɪə əz rɛd fleɪm//🇺🇸 //klɪr æz rɛd fleɪm// | 🇬🇧 //ˈɒbvɪəs//🇺🇸 //ˈɑːbvɪəs// |
| Meaning | very easy to understand | Easy to see or understand |
| Example | The instructions were clear as red flame to everyone. | It's obvious that she is very talented. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | as clear as can be, clear as day, clear as a bell | obvious choice, obvious answer, obvious conclusion |
| Antonyms | - | hidden, ambiguous, unclear |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'clear as mud', which means the opposite., Omitting the word 'as' when using the phrase. | 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 when something is very obvious or easy to see. Avoid in formal writing. | 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: Clear as red flame vs Obvious
What's the difference between Clear as red flame and Obvious?
Clear as red flame: very easy to understand Obvious: Easy to see or understand
Which is more common: Clear as red flame and Obvious?
Obvious is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Clear as red flame: The instructions were clear as red flame to everyone. Obvious: It's obvious that she is very talented.
Can I use Clear as red flame and Obvious interchangeably?
Not always. Clear as red flame 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.