it plainly was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it plainly was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the clarity or obviousness of a situation or fact in a statement. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it plainly was a case of negligence on their part."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The mayor's office was constantly pushing us to find a way to refute the allegation that crime was up, even though it plainly was.

The Guardian

Last August a debate on transgender identity on Newsnight fell apart when the programme was accused of questioning "whether or not trans people have a right to exist", something it plainly was not doing.

The Guardian

Some may have felt the book to be irreligious, which it plainly was not, but others may have felt, again, that if this was the way Paine truly felt about the Bible he should have said so earlier, rather than using it as a textual prop when it suited him.

The Guardian - Books

Even as the hacking scandal started to erupt in 2007, and full control of Sky was within his grasp, Murdoch was protesting that hacking was "not part of our culture anywhere in the world", when it plainly was part of the culture to anyone who bothered to look.

The Guardian

"It plainly wasn't enough for this to be an illegal for-profit business".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Its conclusion might not surprise you: financiers, to put it plainly, were overpaid.

The New York Times

The Sudanese government says it is doing its best to curb janjaweed who step out of line, but it plainly is not.

The Economist

For their sake, Congress should reject the Cantor proposal as the national embarrassment it plainly is.

The New York Times

The big question about this increase is not whether it's justified; it plainly isn't.

The Guardian - Opinion

It plainly isn't enough, or even close, and that leaves one key question.

The Guardian - Sport

The movie is about, to put it plainly, being raised right.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it plainly was" to assert a fact or situation that is undeniably obvious. It's best used when you want to emphasize the clarity and lack of ambiguity.

Common error

While "it plainly was" is grammatically correct, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or less sophisticated. Consider using synonyms like "it was clear" or "it was obvious" to maintain variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it plainly was" functions as an assertion of fact, emphasizing the obviousness of a situation or state. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in declaring something as undeniably true or evident. This construction serves to remove doubt or ambiguity from a statement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it plainly was" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize the obviousness of a situation or fact. Ludwig indicates that it's most commonly found in News & Media, with examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. While effective in asserting clarity, it's advisable to use it judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive. Alternatives include phrases like "it clearly was" and "it obviously was". Overall, "it plainly was" is a useful tool for reinforcing a point with emphasis and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it clearly was

Replaces "plainly" with "clearly", offering a slightly less emphatic alternative.

it obviously was

Substitutes "plainly" with "obviously", suggesting that something was evident to anyone.

it was evident that

Changes the structure to highlight the evidence supporting the claim.

it was apparent that

Similar to "it was evident that", but implies a more gradual realization.

it was manifestly

Uses "manifestly" for a more formal and emphatic declaration of obviousness.

it was undeniably

Emphasizes the impossibility of denying the truth of something.

it was patently

Similar to "plainly", but carries a more legalistic or formal tone.

it was transparently

Suggests that the truth was easy to see through any attempts at concealment.

it was distinctly

Highlights that something was noticeably or unmistakably so.

it was demonstrably

Implies that something could be proven or shown to be true.

FAQs

How can I use "it plainly was" in a sentence?

"It plainly was" is used to emphasize that something was obvious or clear. For example: "The evidence was overwhelming; "it plainly was" a case of fraud."

What are some alternatives to "it plainly was"?

You can use alternatives such as "it clearly was", "it obviously was", or "it was evident that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it plainly was" formal or informal?

"It plainly was" is suitable for neutral to slightly informal contexts. For more formal writing, consider using "it was manifestly" or "it was patently".

What's the difference between "it plainly was" and "it was plainly"?

The phrasing "it plainly was" emphasizes the obviousness of the state or situation, while "it was plainly" can sometimes function more as an adverbial modifier to the verb. They are largely interchangeable but slightly different in emphasis.