Cool MateClearly vs So far so obvious
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clearly
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
So far so obvious
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ClearlyMost common: Clearly
| Clearly | So far so obvious | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklɪrli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //səʊ fɑː səʊ ˈɒb.vɪ.əs//🇺🇸 //soʊ fɑr soʊ ˈɑbviəs// |
| Meaning | in a way that is easy to see or understand | It means something is clear and expected up to this point. |
| Example | She explained the instructions clearly to the new employees. | The instructions were easy to follow; so far so obvious. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | clearly understand, clearly communicate, clearly see, clearly state, clearly defined | so far, so obvious, obvious choice |
| Antonyms | unclearly, obscurely, ambiguous | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'clear' instead of 'clearly' as an adverb., Confusing 'clearly' with 'clearer' which is a comparative form., Omitting it in sentences where emphasis is needed. | Using it in formal contexts like academic papers., Confusing it with similar phrases that don't convey predictability., Omitting 'so' in the phrase, changing its meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'clearly' to emphasize that something is understandable or obvious. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but may seem overly formal in casual conversations. | Used in casual conversation to indicate that something is predictable or evident. Not typically used in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clearly vs So far so obvious
What's the difference between Clearly and So far so obvious?
Clearly: in a way that is easy to see or understand So far so obvious: It means something is clear and expected up to this point.
Which is more formal: Clearly and So far so obvious?
Clearly is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Clearly and So far so obvious?
Clearly is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Clearly: She explained the instructions clearly to the new employees. So far so obvious: The instructions were easy to follow; so far so obvious.
Can I use Clearly and So far so obvious interchangeably?
Not always. Clearly and So far so 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.