more plainly than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more plainly than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the clarity or simplicity of two statements or explanations. Example: "He explained the concept more plainly than his colleague, making it easier for everyone to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Despite her company's name, Gong projects nothing more plainly than a conviction that fate is obsolete.

The New Yorker

ALAN SUGAR Entrepreneur The plain-spoken Apprentice boss speaks more plainly than ever when he's tweeting – as those who disagree with his trenchantly held views have found.

Independent

The Tories' position on the European Union could not be summarised more plainly than by their oft-repeated slogan, "in Europe not run by Europe".

The Economist

Mr. Fox acknowledged more plainly than he has before that the divided opposition vote helped the governing party's chances for victory.

The New York Times

New York's governor could not have spoken more plainly than he did last week before a joint session of the State Legislature.

The New York Times

Mr Bush has, after all, spent the past weeks stating more plainly than any predecessor that America wants an independent Palestine and Israel back more or less to its 1967 border.Timing the squeezeEmpty words?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But, in fact, tensions between "minority" groups could soon be more plainly obvious than any solidarity.

The New York Times

The denial sounds believable; the rejection of New Orleans strikes us as far more plainly stupid than political.

The New York Times

I don't want to look like everyone else, so I dress a bit more plainly here than back home, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Independent

It has not only proclaimed, more plainly and more universally than ever before, the need for American leadership; it has spelt out vividly as well the kind of leadership that is looked for.

The Economist

And I realized that watching "Downton Abbey" with my cats allowed me to speak more plainly with my cats than ever before.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more plainly than" when you want to emphasize a direct and easily understandable comparison between two statements or explanations.

Common error

While effective, avoid overuse in formal writing where nuanced language might be preferable. Consider "more clearly than" or "more explicitly than" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more plainly than" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate a higher degree of clarity or directness in comparison to something else. Ludwig's examples show it comparing statements, actions, or descriptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more plainly than" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative phrase, primarily used to highlight differences in clarity and directness. According to Ludwig, it serves to make comparisons, emphasize ease of understanding, and often appears in news and media contexts. While versatile, consider the nuances of alternatives like "more clearly than" for sophisticated writing. By understanding its function and common uses, you can wield "more plainly than" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more clearly than

Focuses on clarity rather than directness; emphasizes ease of understanding.

more obviously than

Highlights the degree of obviousness in a comparison.

more explicitly than

Emphasizes the level of detail and lack of ambiguity.

more directly than

Focuses on a lack of intermediaries or indirectness.

more straightforwardly than

Stresses simplicity and a lack of complications.

more unambiguously than

Highlights the absence of multiple interpretations.

more intelligibly than

Emphasizes ease of comprehension or understanding.

more comprehensibly than

Highlights how easily something can be grasped or understood.

more accessibly than

Focuses on how easily something can be approached or understood by a wider audience.

in simpler terms than

Replaces the comparative with a phrase indicating a simplification of language.

FAQs

How can I use "more plainly than" in a sentence?

Use "more plainly than" to compare the directness or clarity of two statements. For example, "He explained the concept "more plainly than" his colleague did".

What is a good alternative to "more plainly than"?

Alternatives include "more clearly than", "more directly than", or "more explicitly than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always better to speak "more plainly than" others?

Not necessarily. While clarity is important, context matters. Sometimes, nuance and indirectness are more appropriate than speaking "more plainly than".

What's the difference between "more plainly than" and "more simply than"?

"More plainly than" emphasizes directness and lack of ambiguity, while "more simply than" focuses on reducing complexity. The best choice depends on whether you are prioritizing clarity or ease of understanding.