most plainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most plainly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize clarity or simplicity in expression, often when explaining something in a straightforward manner. Example: "To put it most plainly, we need to reduce our expenses to stay within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Most plainly, road conditions may well have deteriorated.

The Economist

First, and most plainly, his teams have won seventy-two per cent of their games.

The New Yorker

The interviews with Hemingway and V. S. Naipaul are the most plainly contentious.

The New York Times - Books

It is some of the most plainly thrilling music we've got.

The New Yorker

Some of that coldness resurfaces here, most plainly on a track called "A New Bot".

The New York Times

Another signifier of that most plainly American ideology: independence at any cost?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Most voters plainly felt he deserved a second chance.

The Guardian

Most Turks are plainly unfazed by such fears.

The Economist

Stated plainly, most pass-through business income consists of wages cloaked as profits for tax purposes.

Stanford University

To put this a bit more plainly, most countries that suffer big financial crises see the value of their currency fall.

The Economist

Then, what Mr Berlusconi's voters plainly most wanted and reckoned il Cavaliere (the Knight) to be the one man who could deliver it was change.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most plainly," follow it with a concise statement that gets straight to the point. Avoid ambiguity to maximize clarity.

Common error

While "most plainly" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound simplistic. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "most clearly" or "most evidently" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most plainly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which something is stated or understood. As indicated by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the clarity and directness of an explanation or statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most plainly" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that serves to introduce a simple and direct explanation. As verified by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While versatile, it is best used in neutral or informal settings, and less in formal writing where alternatives like "most clearly" or "most directly" might be more suitable. To ensure clarity in your writing, use "most plainly" to simplify complex ideas without sacrificing accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most obviously

Focuses on the ease of perceiving or understanding something.

most clearly

Emphasizes the lack of ambiguity in communication.

most evidently

Highlights the apparent nature of something.

most straightforwardly

Stresses the simplicity and directness of the approach.

in the clearest terms

Indicates an attempt to avoid confusion by using precise language.

in the simplest terms

Implies a reduction of complexity for easier understanding.

to put it simply

Signals that a complex idea is being expressed in an uncomplicated manner.

most directly

Suggests an absence of intermediaries or indirectness.

most candidly

Highlights honesty and openness in expression.

most frankly

Emphasizes a lack of hesitation or reservation in speaking.

FAQs

How can I use "most plainly" in a sentence?

You can use "most plainly" to introduce a direct and simple explanation of something. For example, "Most plainly, the budget cuts will affect essential services."

What's the difference between "most plainly" and "most clearly"?

"Most plainly" emphasizes simplicity and directness, while ""most clearly"" emphasizes a lack of ambiguity and ease of understanding. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight simplicity or clarity.

Are there situations where "most plainly" is not appropriate?

While "most plainly" is generally acceptable, it might be too informal for highly academic or technical writing. In those cases, consider alternatives like "most directly" or "in the clearest terms".

What can I say instead of "most plainly"?

You can use alternatives like "most obviously", "most straightforwardly", or "in the simplest terms" depending on the specific context.