For the plain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "For the plain" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that is straightforward or simple, but without additional context, its usage is ambiguous. Example: "The instructions were designed for the plain, ensuring that everyone could understand them easily."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For the plain fact is that the terrorists themselves claim to be acting in Islam's name.

The Economist

For the plain fact is that curbing political expenditures or contributions does limit expression.

Huffington Post

For the plain pack, 3% (n=27) indicated being receptive to this pack.

BMJ Open

For the plain pack, no association was found between pack appraisal or receptivity and susceptibility.

BMJ Open

She is a reporter for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.

The New York Times - Style

"Plain men for the plain daylight, that's our preference," a testy American sea captain informs him.

The New Yorker

It's enough to make you yearn for the plain old picture postcard with its scrawled cheer and exotic stamp.

The Guardian - Opinion

His book, he declares, "was written for the plain people of this world, of whom certainly I am one".

The Guardian - Books

Mr Rumsfeld has a visionary's fixation on the high-tech "transformation" of America's military and a misplaced disdain for the plain old infantry.

The Economist

FOR all but the anarchists and sundry Marxists for whom worse means better, and for the plain thugs, it was a disaster.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Her roller-coaster life had given her a high sense of drama, and she could tell a good story too good, sometimes, for the plain-words world of science.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the ambiguous phrase "for the plain" with clearer alternatives like "in plain terms" or "for simplicity's sake".

Common error

Avoid using "for the plain" without clarifying the intended meaning. This phrase can be easily misunderstood; ensure the context provides sufficient clarity or use a more precise phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "For the plain" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used to modify a verb or noun. However, due to its grammatical awkwardness, its precise role in a sentence can be unclear. As Ludwig AI explains, its usage is not correct and lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

45%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "For the plain" appears frequently, it's grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity, as per Ludwig AI. It often aims to convey simplicity or straightforwardness, but requires refinement to ensure accurate communication. Better alternatives include "in plain terms" or "for simplicity's sake". Its usage spans across news, media, and scientific contexts, but due to its ambiguity, it should be used with caution, particularly in formal settings. Always consider the clarity and precision of your language to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In plain terms

Replaces "for the plain" with "in plain", offering a clearer and more grammatically accepted prepositional phrase emphasizing clarity and simplicity.

In simple language

Specifies the manner of communication is simple, useful when describing how something is expressed or written.

To put it simply

Introduces a simplified explanation or statement, changing the initial preposition "for" to an infinitive to emphasize the act of simplifying.

Simply put

Used to introduce a brief and straightforward explanation, shifting the structure from a prepositional phrase to an adverbial phrase.

In layman's terms

Similar to "in plain terms", but implies the simplification is for someone without specialized knowledge.

For simplicity's sake

Uses a possessive structure to convey the idea of doing something for the sake of being simple, significantly altering the structure but keeping the core idea.

For the sake of simplicity

Emphasizes the reason for choosing a simpler approach, using "sake of" to highlight the motivation.

In its simplest form

Describes something reduced to its most basic elements, changing the focus from the action to the state of the subject.

For clarity

This option focuses specifically on making something clear, suitable in contexts where the goal is to avoid confusion.

To be blunt

Indicates a direct and possibly abrupt way of speaking, relevant when the "plain" aspect refers to straightforwardness even if it's harsh.

FAQs

How can I use the idea of simplicity in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "for simplicity's sake", "in plain terms", or "to put it simply" depending on the context.

What is a more correct way to say "For the plain"?

Alternatives such as "for simplicity", "in simple language", or "simply put" are clearer and more grammatically sound options.

What does "For the plain" mean?

The phrase "For the plain" is ambiguous and lacks clarity. It often refers to straightforwardness or simplicity, but it requires additional context to understand the intended meaning. It can be replaced with in plain terms if you want to express simply.

Is "For the plain" grammatically correct?

No, "For the plain" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "in plain language" or "for simplicity".