Cool MateNo shit vs Obviously
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No shit
SlangTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Obviously
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Most formal: ObviouslyMost common: Obviously
| No shit | Obviously | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ʃɪt//🇺🇸 //noʊ ʃɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒbviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːbviəsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | An expression used to show that something is obvious or true. | Clearly or easily seen. |
| Example | Did you see that movie? It was amazing! No shit! | Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. |
| Register | Slang | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | no shit, Sherlock, no shit, really, no shit, of course | obviously correct, obviously wrong, obviously happy, obviously important, obviously true |
| Antonyms | - | unclearly, ambiguously |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal writing or speech., Confused with 'no kidding' or 'really' in different contexts., Overused to the point of losing emphasis. | 'Obvious' vs 'obviously': Confusing the adjective and adverb forms., Using in overly formal situations: It's too casual for very formal writing., Placing it too far from what it's describing: Should be close to the idea it clarifies. |
| Usage notes | Used informally to emphasize the obviousness of a statement. Not appropriate in formal situations. | Use 'obviously' when something is clear or evident. It's appropriate in most contexts but can seem sarcastic if overused. |
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Frequently asked questions: No shit vs Obviously
What's the difference between No shit and Obviously?
No shit: An expression used to show that something is obvious or true. Obviously: Clearly or easily seen.
Which is more formal: No shit and Obviously?
Obviously is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: No shit and Obviously?
Obviously is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No shit: Did you see that movie? It was amazing! No shit! Obviously: Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money.
Can I use No shit and Obviously interchangeably?
Not always. No shit and Obviously 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.