it was plainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was plainly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was obvious or clear in a straightforward manner. Example: "It was plainly evident that the team had put in a lot of effort to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Every single title listed had some distinctive stylistic quality that set it apart from its contemporaries; it was plainly unique.

The Guardian - Books

In fact, it was plainly hoping to kill off its weaker rival.

The Economist

It was, plainly, silence.

The New Yorker

It was plainly suggesting a consultancy with generous remuneration.

Independent

A lot of it was plainly backup, simple and unpretentious.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was plainly the right decision," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

It was plainly evident even in the team's practice Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Custis was only 15, but it was plainly time to send him to college.

Princeton University

By the morning of Tuesday the 26th it was plainly back into full swing.

The Economist

It was, plainly put, the most trying time in Penn State's 156-year history.

The New York Times - Sports

Put that way the situation may be understandable, but it was plainly not acceptable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was plainly" to express observations or conclusions that are straightforward and require little interpretation. It's suitable for conveying information where the truth is easily discernible.

Common error

Avoid using "it was plainly" when expressing personal opinions or subjective interpretations, as it can make your statement sound overly assertive or dismissive of alternative viewpoints. Instead, use phrases like "it seemed" or "it appeared" to acknowledge subjectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was plainly" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the manner in which something is perceived or understood. As noted by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize that something is obvious or evident. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, from describing visible characteristics to expressing clear conclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was plainly" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the clarity and obviousness of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral register. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "it was clearly" or "it was obviously", especially in subjective contexts. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "it was plainly" to convey certainty and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was clearly

Replaces "plainly" with "clearly", emphasizing ease of understanding.

it was obviously

Substitutes "plainly" with "obviously", highlighting the evident nature of something.

it was evident

Employs "evident" instead of "plainly", focusing on the visibility of the fact.

it was apparent

Uses "apparent" in place of "plainly", suggesting that something is easily perceived.

it was manifest

Replaces "plainly" with "manifest", indicating something is undeniably obvious.

it was patent

Substitutes "plainly" with "patent", stressing the indisputable nature of something.

it was transparent

Uses "transparent" instead of "plainly", suggesting the idea is easy to see through.

it was unmistakable

Replaces "plainly" with "unmistakable", meaning something cannot be mistaken for anything else.

it was downright

Substitutes "plainly" with "downright", which emphasizes the certainty of the statement.

it was simply

Uses "simply" in place of "plainly", presenting the idea in a straightforward manner.

FAQs

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

Use "it was plainly" to indicate something that is easily and clearly evident. For example, "It was plainly obvious that he was nervous before the presentation".

What are some alternatives to "it was plainly"?

Alternatives include "it was clearly", "it was obviously", or "it was evident". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "it was plainly" or "it was clearly"?

Both "it was plainly" and "it was clearly" are acceptable, but "it was plainly" often suggests a more direct and less ambiguous observation. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and context.

When is it inappropriate to use "it was plainly"?

Avoid using "it was plainly" when discussing subjective matters or opinions, as it can sound overly assertive. In such cases, phrases like "it seemed" or "it appeared" may be more appropriate.