As plain as day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As plain as day" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is very clear or obvious. Example: "The solution to the problem was as plain as day once we analyzed the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"It's as plain as day.

The New York Times

"It is just as plain as day.

The Guardian

It's in the map as plain as day!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It was as plain as day," Keith Richards once said.

The Guardian - Music

"The maturity level, obviously, is just as plain as day," Tubby Smith said.

The New York Times - Sports

When a plant puts out cones, this becomes as plain as day.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The leisurely movie, which opens today at the Embassy 72d Street, is just as plain as a Saturday Evening Post illustration.

The New York Times

"Isn't it heartening to see how far a girl as plain as she is can go?" Saturday Night Live (2010) While the extended "dusty muffin" sketch spread a double entendre paper thin, it was White's acidic opening monologue that stole the show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is as plain as English.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's as plain as that.

Huffington Post

Second, announce how much he is prepared to contribute to repair the hole in the pension fund; the moral obligation to cough up looks as plain as it did on the day of BHS's collapse.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context provides the necessary information for the reader to grasp what is "as plain as day". Avoid vague references that might confuse the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "as plain as day" when the information may require specialized knowledge or is not immediately obvious to the average reader. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact, so use it judiciously to highlight moments of genuine clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as plain as day" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, emphasizing the clarity or obviousness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "as plain as day" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize the clarity or obviousness of something. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in overly formal or scientific contexts, opting for alternatives like "readily apparent". When using this phrase, make sure the context ensures the reader understands what is being referred to, otherwise it can be misunderstood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crystal clear

Replaces the figurative language with a direct adjective emphasizing clarity.

blindingly obvious

Highlights the overwhelming and undeniable nature of the obviousness.

clear as a bell

Uses a different simile to convey the idea of something being easily understood.

easily discernible

More formal, emphasizing the ability to distinguish something without difficulty.

readily apparent

Similar to 'easily discernible' but focuses on the immediate visibility of something.

out in the open

Emphasizes that something is not hidden or secret.

written all over

Suggests that something is very evident from someone's expression or a situation.

sticking out like a sore thumb

Highlights how obvious something is, often because it's out of place or unusual.

impossible to miss

Focuses on the high probability of noticing something because it is so obvious.

evident to all

Emphasizes the universality of the understanding or visibility of something.

FAQs

How can I use "as plain as day" in a sentence?

You can use "as plain as day" to emphasize how obvious something is. For instance, "The solution to the problem was "as plain as day" once we looked at the data".

What are some alternatives to "as plain as day"?

Alternatives include "crystal clear", "blindingly obvious", or "clear as a bell", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "as plain as day" formal or informal?

"As plain as day" is generally considered informal but is acceptable in many contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "readily apparent" or "easily discernible".

When is it inappropriate to use "as plain as day"?

Avoid using "as plain as day" when describing complex or nuanced topics that require expertise to understand. The phrase implies simplicity and obviousness, which may not be accurate or appropriate in all situations.