in a plain way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a plain way" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action being done in a simple and straightforward manner. For example, you could say, "He explained the concept to me in a plain way, so I finally understood it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Richard Hoggart was once described as "today's Ruskin" and is given to quoting Ruskin's maxim that "the greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something and tell what it saw in a plain way".

Independent

I felt really at ease with her, in a plain way".

Vice

Then draw her torso in a plain way.

WikiHow

Keep it like a tiny O. Dress girly in a plain way.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Ideal, too, in a plainer way, is a concurrent survey of the artist's works on paper, "Ken Price: Slow and Steady Wins the Race," at the Drawing Center in SoHo.

The New York Times - Arts

Ideal, too, in a plainer way, is a concurrent survey of the artist's works on paper, "Ken Price: Slow and Steady Wins the Race," running through Aug. 18 at the Drawing Center, 35 Wooster Street, SoHo, [phone], drawingcenter.org.org

The New York Times - Arts

Ideal, too, in a plainer way, is a concurrent survey of the artist's works on paper, "Ken Price: Slow and Steady Wins the Race," running through Sunday at the Drawing Center, 35 Wooster Street, SoHo, [phone], drawingcenter.org.org

The New York Times - Arts

Patty Jenkins, who wrote the screenplay as well as directed, has a background in commercials and music videos, but she works in a plain, straightforward way, concentrating on the emotional connection between the two women their arguments, reconciliations, lovemaking and then the increasing dread they both feel as Wuornos goes wild.

The New Yorker

Also less is more: writing about something in a plain, straightforward way often conveys emotion more strongly than flowery, sentimental language.

Huffington Post

HTML is used to display the information in a plain, unformatted way.

WikiHow

"I was interested in exercising a personal feeling I had, and being honest to it – and showing it in a plain-faced way that humanized this person".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a plain way" when you want to emphasize simplicity and lack of unnecessary complexity in how something is done or explained. It's particularly effective when contrasting with more elaborate or convoluted methods.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "in a plain way" when more specific phrasing would better convey your intended meaning. For example, instead of saying "He explained it in a plain way", consider alternatives such as "He explained it "in simple terms"" if the key aspect is the language used, or "He described it "in a straightforward manner"" if the emphasis is on the directness of the explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a plain way" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in specifying how something is communicated, drawn, or dressed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a plain way" is a useful adverbial phrase to describe actions done simply and directly. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct. While it's not overly common, occurring in a rare amount of Ludwig examples, its usage across news, media, and wiki platforms suggests a neutral to informal register. When writing, aim for clarity and avoid overuse by considering alternatives like "in simple terms" or "straightforward manner" for more precision. Remember, the strength of "in a plain way" lies in its emphasis on uncomplicated clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a straightforward manner

Emphasizes directness and clarity in approach.

in simple terms

Focuses on using easily understandable language.

without embellishment

Highlights the absence of added details or ornamentation.

directly and simply

Combines directness with a lack of complexity.

in a basic fashion

Stresses the fundamental and uncomplicated nature.

in an uncomplicated manner

Highlights the absence of intricacy or difficulty.

without artifice

Focuses on genuineness and lack of artificiality.

in a down-to-earth way

Implies practicality and accessibility.

in an elementary style

Emphasizes the foundational and easily grasped aspect.

in layman's terms

Specifically targets understanding by non-experts.

FAQs

What does it mean to do something "in a plain way"?

Doing something "in a plain way" means doing it simply and directly, without unnecessary elaboration or complication. It emphasizes clarity and ease of understanding.

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

You might say, "The instructions were presented "in a straightforward manner", helping everyone understand quickly." Or, "She described the event "without embellishment", sticking to the facts "in a plain way"".

What are some alternatives to "in a plain way"?

Alternatives include "in simple terms", "directly and simply", "without artifice", or "in an uncomplicated manner", depending on the specific context.

Is "in a plain way" formal or informal?

The phrase "in a plain way" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language may be preferred in highly formal settings.