obviously

The word 'obviously' weakens prose by implying a shared understanding that may not exist for the reader. It suggests the narrator is assuming too much, which can alienate or frustrate the audience. In most cases, removing 'obviously' sharpens the writing and allows the reader to engage with the narrative without unnecessary guidance. Before: "He was obviously upset about the news." After: "He was upset about the news." Before: "The solution was obviously simple." After: "The solution was simple." Before: "She obviously didn’t see him standing there." After: "She didn’t see him standing there." In dialogue, 'obviously' can serve a purpose. Characters may express impatience or frustration, and their use of the word can reflect their state of mind. For example, a character in a heated argument might say, 'Obviously, you don’t care,' which conveys emotion and tension effectively. In this case, the word enhances the dialogue rather than detracting from it. When reviewing your draft, ask yourself: If you remove 'obviously' and the sentence retains its meaning, it was clutter.