a plain cut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plain cut" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a straightforward or simple style of cutting, often in contexts like fashion, haircuts, or woodworking. Example: "The dress features a plain cut that emphasizes elegance without unnecessary embellishments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like an encrustation of pearls on a plain-cut Balenciaga coat, they give stolid emblems of leadership a classy, labor-intensive verve.

The New York Times - Arts

The Donets Ridge in the west and the Don Ridge in the north form areas of mildly accented relief, but most of the oblast is a low, rolling plain cut by the wide floodplains of the rivers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Majungasaurus inhabited a coastal flood plain cut by many sandy river channels.

Wikipedia

The two brigades were also forced to slow their advance across the plain, cut by a number of narrow, deep wadis, which made fast riding impossible.

Wikipedia

A stickler for routine, the colonel ate the same breakfast every day: a plain roll cut horizontally and strained chicken soup.

The New York Times

Two male designers, Tomas Maier at Bottega Veneta and Raf Simons for Jil Sander, both offered for the fall the streamlined modernism of a plain, impeccably cut suit, though shaped close to a womanly body.

The New York Times

The mouth hole may be plain (cut straight across), notched, or connected to an internal duct.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Beginning with the sunshine, Angelou puts us in a place and time only she can report on: But Easter's early morning sun had shown the dress to be a plain ugly cut-down from a white woman's once-was-purple throwaway.

The New Yorker

He was upset and spoke rapidly about the area behind him, an expanse of the Great Plains cut by a new 150-foot-wide 150-foot-wide 150-foot-wide

Huffington Post

The plain, cut-out sugar cookies were another matter.

The New York Times

Despite the sequins' flash, the jacket's geometric shape and design fit in with the duchess's underplayed style, the more so as it was meant to be worn over one of her trademarks, a plain white bias-cut silk crepe dress and matching sash.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical contexts like woodworking or machining, "a plain cut" can denote a basic, unspecialized type of cut, suitable for general purposes.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a plain cut" implies inferior quality. It simply means the cut is unembellished, not necessarily poorly executed. Focus on the craftsmanship even with a simple style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plain cut" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing the style or characteristic of something, such as clothing or a material. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plain cut" is a versatile phrase used to describe something characterized by simplicity and a lack of ornamentation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and finds application across various contexts, including fashion, design, and technical fields. While indicating simplicity, it doesn't necessarily imply lower quality. The term's frequent occurrence in reputable sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica underscores its widespread acceptance and applicability. Related phrases like "a simple cut" and "an unadorned cut" offer semantically similar alternatives, allowing for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple cut

Replaces "plain" with "simple", emphasizing the lack of complexity.

a basic cut

Substitutes "plain" with "basic", highlighting the fundamental nature of the cut.

an unadorned cut

Uses "unadorned" to convey the absence of embellishments.

a straightforward cut

Replaces "plain" with "straightforward", focusing on the directness of the cutting style.

a clean cut

Emphasizes the neatness and precision of the cut.

a minimalist cut

Highlights the reduction to essential elements in the cut.

an austere cut

Suggests a severe or strict simplicity in the cut.

a classic cut

Implies a timeless and traditional style of cut.

a no-frills cut

Uses an informal expression to describe the absence of extra features.

a regular cut

Indicates a standard or conventional cut.

FAQs

How can I use "a plain cut" in a sentence?

You can use "a plain cut" to describe something that is simple and unadorned, for example: "The dress features "a plain cut" that emphasizes elegance."

What can I say instead of "a plain cut"?

Alternatives to "a plain cut" include "a simple cut", "a basic cut", or "an unadorned cut", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a plain cut" or "a simple cut"?

Both "a plain cut" and "a simple cut" are correct and largely interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference and the context in which they are used.

What's the difference between "a plain cut" and "a classic cut"?

"A plain cut" refers to the lack of embellishment or complexity in the cutting style, while "a classic cut" implies a timeless and traditional style. A cut can be both plain and classic, but the terms emphasize different aspects.