just plain stupid

USAGE SUMMARY

'Just plain stupid' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe an action or opinion that you strongly disagree with, for example: "I can't believe he did that; it was just plain stupid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or just plain stupid.

The New York Times

It's just plain stupid.

The Guardian - Business

Are they just plain stupid?

The Guardian - Opinion

That seemed to her just plain stupid.

The New Yorker

Perhaps I was just plain stupid.

The Guardian - Sport

So without further ado: Am I just plain stupid?

The New York Times

This is crazy, this is just plain stupid," she said.

The New York Times

It made my halo-style diamond from Jared look just plain stupid.

The New Yorker

That may mean defending the lowbrow, offensive, or just plain stupid.

Independent

"But wearing the burqa in the West is just plain stupid".

The New York Times

You are sure to see many of the decisions you make now as immature, ill-considered and just plain stupid.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just plain stupid", consider the audience and context. It's a fairly strong expression, so reserve it for situations where a direct and somewhat informal tone is appropriate. In formal settings, opt for alternatives like "utterly foolish" or "simply idiotic".

Common error

While "just plain stupid" is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, it's crucial to avoid it in formal or professional writing. Using such an informal phrase can undermine your credibility and make your message sound less serious. Choose a more appropriate synonym like "ill-advised" or "unwise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just plain stupid" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe something that is considered foolish, unintelligent, or lacking in common sense. Ludwig AI shows examples used to express strong disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just plain stupid" is a common and direct way to express disapproval or indicate a lack of intelligence or common sense. Ludwig AI analysis highlights its frequent use in news and media, but also cautions against overuse in formal contexts, where alternatives like "utterly foolish" or "simply idiotic" may be more suitable. While grammatically correct, its informal tone means it's best reserved for appropriate situations. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flat-out dumb

A more direct and informal way of saying something is stupid.

downright moronic

Strongly suggests a very low level of intelligence; more informal.

simply idiotic

Directly indicates a lack of intelligence; slightly more formal.

totally brainless

Suggests a lack of thought or intelligence; more informal.

pure idiocy

Highlights the state or quality of being idiotic; more emphatic.

utterly foolish

Emphasizes a complete lack of good sense; slightly more formal.

unbelievably dense

Implies a lack of understanding or awareness; more informal.

patently ridiculous

Emphasizes the undeniable absurdity of a situation or idea.

blatantly absurd

Highlights the obvious and unreasonable nature of something.

completely senseless

Indicates a lack of logic or meaning; somewhat milder in tone.

FAQs

How can I use "just plain stupid" in a sentence?

You can use "just plain stupid" to express strong disagreement or disapproval of an action or idea. For example, "Investing all your money in that scheme was "just plain stupid"".

What can I say instead of "just plain stupid"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly foolish", "simply idiotic", or "downright moronic" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "just plain stupid" in a formal setting?

No, "just plain stupid" is generally considered too informal for formal settings. Opt for alternatives that are more professional, such as "ill-advised" or "unwise".

What's the difference between "just plain stupid" and "patently ridiculous"?

"Just plain stupid" implies a lack of intelligence or good sense, while "patently ridiculous" highlights the absurdity or ridiculousness of something. The former focuses on the cause, and the latter on the effect.