Cool MateClear vs Obvious
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clear
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Obvious
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
| Clear | Obvious | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/klɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/klɪr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈɒbvɪəs//🇺🇸 //ˈɑːbvɪəs// |
| Meaning | Easy to see through or understand. | Easy to see or understand |
| Example | The sky is very clear today, perfect for a picnic. | 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 | A2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, to, clear and concise, be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, to, clear and concise, be, extremely, fairly, very, about, on, be, look, become, extremely, fairly, very, loud and clear, be, become, extremely, fairly, very, be, look, seem, completely, fairly, pretty, of | obvious choice, obvious answer, obvious conclusion |
| Antonyms | cloudy, unclear, muddy | hidden, ambiguous, unclear |
| Common mistakes | 'Clear' is often confused with 'clean.', 'Clear' is sometimes incorrectly used as a verb instead of an adjective., Learners may forget to use 'clear' to describe abstract concepts, like thoughts. | 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 'clear' to describe something easily understood or free of obstructions. It’s appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using it in overly technical discussions where precision matters. | 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 vs Obvious
What's the difference between Clear and Obvious?
Clear: Easy to see through or understand. Obvious: Easy to see or understand
Which is more advanced: Clear and Obvious?
Obvious is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Clear and Obvious the same CEFR level?
Clear: A2, Obvious: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Clear and Obvious?
Clear: adjective, Obvious: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Clear: The sky is very clear today, perfect for a picnic. Obvious: It's obvious that she is very talented.
Can I use Clear and Obvious interchangeably?
Not always. Clear 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.