Cool MateNot very subtle vs Obvious
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not very subtle
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Obvious
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Most formal: ObviousMost common: Obvious
| Not very subtle | Obvious | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈvɛri ˈsʌtl//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈvɛri ˈsʌtl// | 🇬🇧 //ˈɒbvɪəs//🇺🇸 //ˈɑːbvɪəs// |
| Meaning | Not quiet or gentle, often obvious. | Easy to see or understand |
| Example | His comments were not very subtle; everyone could tell he was upset. | It's obvious that she is very talented. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | not very subtle comments, not very subtle hints, not very subtle behavior | obvious choice, obvious answer, obvious conclusion |
| Antonyms | - | hidden, ambiguous, unclear |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'not subtle' which is more general., Used improperly in formal contexts where discretion is appreciated., Omitted 'very' leading to a different meaning. | 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 in informal contexts to describe something that is obvious or lacks discretion. 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: Not very subtle vs Obvious
What's the difference between Not very subtle and Obvious?
Not very subtle: Not quiet or gentle, often obvious. Obvious: Easy to see or understand
Which is more formal: Not very subtle and Obvious?
Obvious is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Not very subtle and Obvious?
Obvious is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Not very subtle: His comments were not very subtle; everyone could tell he was upset. Obvious: It's obvious that she is very talented.
Can I use Not very subtle and Obvious interchangeably?
Not always. Not very subtle 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.