evidently
/ˈevɪdəntli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈevɪdəntli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈe-və-dənt-lē -ə-ˌdent- especially for sense 2 often ˌev-ə-ˈdent-/ (ame, mw)
evidently — adverb
1. So clearly visible or understandable that anyone can notice it without effort or
So clearly visible or understandable that anyone can notice it without effort or doubt; what you see makes the fact impossible to miss.
Rachid was evidently pleased when the scholarship letter arrived in the mail.
evidently + adjective (visible emotion from appearance)
The old farmhouse had evidently been empty for years; thick vines covered every window.
Maja was evidently exhausted after hiking up the mountain trail for six hours.
Haruto's notebook was evidently well used; the pages were soft and filled with notes.
Iris had evidently spent the whole afternoon baking; the kitchen smelled of fresh bread.
- vaguely
indistinctly, without clear visible signs
- imperceptibly
in a way that cannot be noticed at all
文法句型
evidently + adjective/past participle
用法筆記
Placed directly before an adjective or past participle. This sense describes something that can be confirmed through direct observation — contrast with sense 2 (BASED ON EVIDENCE), which describes a logical conclusion rather than a direct observation.
常見錯誤
2. Used to introduce a statement that seems to be true based on the information or
Used to introduce a statement that seems to be true based on the information or signs available, even if the speaker does not have complete or direct proof.
Tuan had evidently missed the morning train; he arrived at work almost an hour late.
mid-sentence evident + conclusion drawn from observable evidence
The museum had evidently prepared carefully for the exhibition; each display was beautifully lit.
Ritu, who rarely misses work, was not at her desk today; evidently, a family matter came up.
The trail had evidently been used by many walkers; the ground was worn smooth in places.
Lara had been crying before the meeting; evidently, the phone conversation had been very difficult.
- apparently
more neutral and slightly more common than 'evidently' for this sense
- seemingly
suggests a higher degree of uncertainty about the conclusion
- allegedly
used when the information comes from what others claim; implies possible doubt
文法句型
Evidently, + clause (beginning of sentence)
subject + evidently + verb (mid-sentence)
用法筆記
Can appear at the beginning of a sentence (followed by a comma) or mid-sentence before a verb. The speaker is sharing a reasoned guess based on clues — unlike sense 1 (CLEARLY OBVIOUS), the facts are not directly seen but deduced.