as plainly as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as plainly as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize clarity or simplicity in communication or expression. Example: "He explained the concept as plainly as possible to ensure everyone understood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'll speak as plainly as I can.

The New York Times

"I had her dress as plainly as possible.

The New Yorker

It is best to use words as plainly as possible.

The Economist

Rep. Ron Paul, as is his wont, expressed it as plainly as anyone.

The Washington Post

For once, the leadership of the EU has spoken out as plainly as Washington.

The Guardian

The technical terms we did keep we made sure to explain as plainly as possible.

The Guardian

She twinkled, cocked her head, and spoke as plainly as she could.

The New York Times

It's just a careful observation about one of life's very minor truths, stated as plainly as possible.

The New York Times

Yet Abdullah spoke as plainly as the Bedouin tribesmen with whom he had been sent to live in his youth.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But he is just as plainly a romantic, even as his final shot recognizes the fragility of progress.

The New York Times

This volume was plainly as startling as his earlier "psycho-biography" of Margaret Thatcher, in which he offered highly fanciful and occasionally erotic explanations for her obsession with litter, money, and her general personality.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as plainly as" when you want to emphasize the clarity and directness of your communication, ensuring your message is easily understood. This phrase works well when simplifying complex topics or addressing a broad audience.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary qualifiers after "as plainly as" that dilute the impact of the statement. Saying something like "as plainly as possible, but not too plainly" introduces confusion and undermines the original intent of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as plainly as" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb. It specifies the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing clarity and directness. Ludwig AI shows many examples where it qualifies verbs of speaking, writing or explaining.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

The Guardian - Books

5%

Huffington Post

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as plainly as" is a very common phrase used to emphasize clarity and directness in communication. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to highlight the manner of expression. It is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, with a neutral register. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to avoid unnecessary qualifiers that undermine its intended simplicity. Alternatives such as "as clearly as" or "as simply as" can be used to fine-tune the nuance of the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as clearly as

Focuses more on the clarity of the message than the simplicity of the delivery.

as simply as

Emphasizes the ease and lack of complexity in the communication.

as directly as

Highlights the absence of indirectness or evasion in the statement.

as explicitly as

Stresses the unambiguity and detailed nature of the communication.

as straightforwardly as

Indicates a lack of complication or hidden meaning.

as unambiguously as

Focuses on the lack of potential for misinterpretation.

as frankly as

Emphasizes honesty and openness in the communication.

in simple terms

Shifts the focus to using language that is easy to understand.

in layman's terms

Specifically targets an audience unfamiliar with technical jargon.

to put it simply

Introduces a simplified explanation of a complex topic.

FAQs

How can I use "as plainly as" in a sentence?

Use "as plainly as" to emphasize the clarity and directness of a statement. For example, "I tried to explain the concept "as plainly as" I could, but they still didn't understand."

What can I say instead of "as plainly as"?

You can use alternatives like "as clearly as", "as simply as", or "as directly as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "as plainly as" or "as plain as"?

"As plainly as" emphasizes the manner of communication, while "as plain as" typically describes something's appearance or obviousness. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "as plainly as" and "as clearly as"?

While both phrases indicate understandable communication, "as plainly as" often suggests a simplification of language, while "as clearly as" focuses on the absence of ambiguity.