ask plainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask plainly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to request something in a straightforward and clear manner without any ambiguity. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please ask plainly so that I can provide the best assistance possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If you wonder something about her or what she thinks, ask plainly.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"How do I charge my customer for my time?" he asked, plainly irritated, as he filled a metal container next to his Chevrolet Silverado truck.

The New York Times

"Where's the coffee?" Jase asked plainly.

HuffPost

Asked plainly, "do you have any reason to believe that anyone in the White House was involved in the decision to screen Tea Party cases?" Shafer replied, "I have no reason to believe that".

Huffington Post

We should ask very plainly: what is wrong with a warmer world?

The Economist

Ask them plainly if they'll help you in the form of a simply-worded question.

WikiHow

His manner is naïve, but the questions he asks are plainly insulting.

The New York Times - Arts

Trump rebranded the plan as "extreme vetting", rooted in an ideological test, but when asked directly plainly denied he was walking back the Muslim ban and said he was in fact strengthening it.

The Guardian

Taking on what has been called James's unreadable novel, The Sacred Fount, Wood begins by asking quite plainly how do we read sentences of the sort offered by James in that experimental novel and by Nabokov in that tricksy experiment in form, Pale Fire.

Johns Hopkins University

But Kip Andersen's Cowspiracy asks it plainly and offers a series of startling answers.

Huffington Post

Neloms tells me investigators then came to her place of work and interrogated her until her boss told the agents to leave, but not before the investigators asked her plainly why she had chosen to vote with an absentee ballot.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking clarity, "ask plainly" to avoid misunderstandings and ensure a direct response.

Common error

Avoid using complex vocabulary or roundabout phrasing when a direct question will suffice. "Ask plainly" to get straight to the point and avoid alienating your audience with unnecessary formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask plainly" functions as a directive, specifically instructing someone to pose a question in a clear and unambiguous way. It emphasizes directness in communication, as Ludwig examples illustrate, promoting efficient and effective interaction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask plainly" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase that promotes clear and direct communication. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, wiki, and science-related domains. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, further solidifying its utility. When aiming for clarity and efficiency in your interactions, "ask plainly" to ensure your message is received without ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inquire directly

Replaces "ask" with a more formal synonym and implies a lack of indirectness.

request clearly

Focuses on the clarity of the request rather than the act of asking itself.

state your question directly

Emphasizes the directness and the act of stating the question.

make a straightforward inquiry

Highlights the simplicity and directness of the inquiry.

formulate the question clearly

Focuses on the clear formulation of the question.

pose the question directly

Highlights the act of posing a question without ambiguity.

express your question clearly

Emphasizes clear expression when asking.

ask without ambiguity

Focuses on removing any potential for misunderstanding in the question.

simply ask

Stresses the simplicity of making a direct request.

directly inquire

Combines the directness of "directly" with the formality of "inquire".

FAQs

What does it mean to "ask plainly"?

To "ask plainly" means to ask a question in a clear, direct, and straightforward manner, leaving no room for ambiguity or misunderstanding.

How can I "ask plainly" in a conversation?

Focus on being direct and clear in your question. Avoid using jargon or complex language, and ensure your question is easy to understand. You could also "inquire directly".

What are some alternatives to "ask plainly"?

You can use phrases like "request clearly", "inquire directly", or "simply ask" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to "ask plainly"?

While directness is often appreciated, consider the context and audience. In some situations, a more tactful or indirect approach may be necessary. However, in situations where clarity is paramount, "ask plainly".