a plain man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plain man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is straightforward, uncomplicated, or lacking in pretension. Example: "He was a plain man, content with his simple life and honest work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He is a plain man, and he projects an air of old-fashioned integrity and decency.

The New Yorker

Perhaps this was a self-portrait, the image of a plain man and a poet.

The New York Times - Arts

He is a plain man from the South Dakota prairie; his staunchest admirers concede that he is not especially clever or charismatic.

The Economist

Faulkner describes the first glimpse of a woman who charms Lanagan as she enters a restaurant with someone: "He was just a plain man," he wrote.

The New York Times - Books

Anti-Federalists charged that the Constitution was so difficult to read that it amounted to a conspiracy against the understanding of a plain man, that it was willfully incomprehensible.

The New Yorker

The researchers who have assiduously charted his life, spending years in Afghanistan's south and interviewing his companions, say that he was a plain man of little learning with no sophisticated ideas about the world.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Some of the trends pinpointed in this special report, including the rise of organised crime on the internet and the imminent arrival of the internet of things, will only increase concerns about a widening security gap.A plain man's guideSo what can be done?

The Economist

It may be hiding in full view, or so says George Ortega, a White Plains man with a slightly furrowed brow who maintains that it's possible to banish sadness, worry, regret and other bad feelings simply by choice.

The New York Times

He will not: he is a plain digestive man.

The Guardian - Opinion

As played by the barrel-chested Zachary Fine, this Mark Antony is "a plain blunt man" who shares with Sinatra a plebeian knack for channeling and giving lucid voice to his listeners' discontent.

The New York Times

Those circumstances have made communicating soothing, placating, empathising: all the emotional skills he struggles with Mr Brown's main task.Blairism with an inhuman faceIn fact, his spin team did start out with a plan: to portray him as an anti-Blair, a plain blunt man and ecumenical father of the nation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a plain man" when you want to convey simplicity, honesty, and a lack of affectation in a person's character or demeanor. It's particularly effective in contrasting someone with more flamboyant or complex individuals.

Common error

Avoid using "a plain man" when you intend to criticize someone for being boring or unimaginative. The phrase typically carries a neutral or even positive connotation of simplicity and integrity, not necessarily dullness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plain man" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in attributing qualities of simplicity, honesty, and lack of pretension to an individual. It modifies the noun "man" with the adjective "plain."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Books

14%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plain man" is a phrase used to describe someone characterized by simplicity, honesty, and a lack of pretension. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It's important to use this phrase with the intention of conveying these positive attributes, rather than implying dullness or lack of imagination. Related phrases like "an ordinary man" or "a simple man" can be used as alternatives to emphasize different aspects of this character description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ordinary man

Replaces 'plain' with 'ordinary', emphasizing commonness and lack of distinction.

a simple man

Substitutes 'plain' with 'simple', highlighting lack of complexity or sophistication.

an unpretentious man

Replaces 'plain' with 'unpretentious', focusing on the absence of affectation or showiness.

a common man

Uses 'common' instead of 'plain', stressing shared characteristics with the general populace.

a regular guy

Informal alternative, emphasizes ordinariness and relatability.

a down-to-earth man

Highlights practicality and realism, suggesting someone grounded and approachable.

a straightforward man

Emphasizes honesty and directness in communication and behavior.

a modest man

Focuses on humility and lack of arrogance or boastfulness.

an average Joe

An idiomatic expression referring to an entirely unremarkable person.

a no-frills man

Highlights the lack of extravagance or unnecessary features in a person.

FAQs

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

You can use "a plain man" to describe someone who is simple, honest, and unpretentious. For example, "Despite his wealth, he remained "a plain man", preferring simple pleasures and genuine company."

What are some synonyms for "a plain man"?

Some synonyms include "an ordinary man", "a simple man", or "a down-to-earth man". These phrases emphasize the person's lack of affectation or pretension.

Is "a plain man" a positive or negative description?

It is generally a neutral or positive description, suggesting honesty, simplicity, and lack of pretension. However, context matters. It could be negative if the implication is that the person is boring or uninteresting, though this is less common.

What's the difference between "a plain man" and "an average man"?

"A plain man" emphasizes simplicity and lack of pretension, while "an average man" highlights typicality and ordinariness. "A plain man" might be anyone, but the emphasis is on his character, while "an average man" is more about his statistical commonality.