in plain terms

USAGE SUMMARY

"in plain terms" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain something in a straightforward and simple manner. For example: "I will explain the process in plain terms so everyone can understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The website of the often quoted Campaign for Weekly Waste Collections helpfully spells out that bi-weekly collections mean that "in plain terms general refuse will be collected only 26 times a year".

The Guardian

Hewitt had never had put Bynum's role in plain terms.

The New York Times - Sports

Let me put it in plain terms: I fucked up".

The New Yorker

It later explains in plain terms how useful this capability can be.

The Guardian

In plain terms, this is often described as a fear of privatisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

We should tell a potential employer who we are, in plain terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

US music consultant John Geraghty lays out the idea of the streaming artist in plain terms.

The Guardian - Music

In plain terms, the President was saying: We're going ahead, to war.

The New Yorker

In plain terms, the aircrews and mission controllers have to outthink the enemy.

The New York Times - Sports

In plain terms, it permits state statutes to operate and thereby negatives any inference drawn from silence.

Cornell University

In plain terms, Amnesty executives had entirely failed in their duty to conduct an investigation of Moazzam Begg.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase when you need to explicitly signal that you are simplifying a complex concept for a general audience.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "in plain terms". Vary your introductory phrases to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in plain terms" functions as a discourse marker. It signals to the reader or listener that a complex idea is about to be explained in a simplified, easily understandable way. Ludwig examples illustrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in plain terms" is a valuable tool for clear communication, functioning as a discourse marker to introduce simplified explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most frequently used in news and media, academia, and scientific contexts. To maintain writing quality, be mindful of overuse and tailor your language to the intended audience. For similar expressions, consider "simply put" or "in simpler terms". By using "in plain terms" judiciously, you can effectively bridge the gap between complex jargon and general understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply put

Emphasizes simplicity and conciseness even more directly.

to put it simply

Offers a slightly more elaborate and softened introduction to a simplified explanation.

in simpler terms

Highlights the simplification of terminology.

in layman's terms

Specifies that the explanation is intended for those without specialized knowledge.

to clarify

A more general way to introduce an explanation.

to be clear

Highlights the importance of the following explanation.

in other words

Indicates a restatement of a previous idea.

put another way

Suggests a different perspective on the same concept.

what i mean is

Directly states the speaker's intent to clarify their meaning.

basically

Offers a summary or the core essence of something.

FAQs

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

Use "in plain terms" to introduce a simplified explanation of a complex concept, like this: "The algorithm's function, "in plain terms", is to identify patterns in large datasets."

What are some alternatives to "in plain terms"?

You can use alternatives like "simply put", "in simpler terms", or "in layman's terms" to convey the same meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "in plain terms" in formal writing?

While "in plain terms" is generally acceptable, consider your audience. In highly formal or academic contexts, you might opt for a more nuanced phrase like "to clarify" or "in other words", depending on the intended purpose.

When should I avoid using "in plain terms"?

Avoid using "in plain terms" when addressing an audience already familiar with the subject matter. In such cases, it can come across as condescending or unnecessary. Instead, use direct and precise language.