on a plain reading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'on a plain reading' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used in a legal context to refer to the straightforward interpretation of a legal document or statute. For example, "On a plain reading of the statute, it is clear that the defendant's actions were a violation of the law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"On the one hand you have conventions that are, on a plain reading, quite strict, and then you have Kofi Annan, former secretary general of the UN, coming out and saying the war on drugs has failed".

Vice

But, if Trump really wasn't a party, that might amount to an outright defrauding of Clifford, who certainly could have thought, based on a plain reading of the text, that she was signing an agreement with Trump.

The New Yorker

Norton t​old Roll Call that, ""based on a plain reading of the bill and principles of statutory interpretation, the District may be able to carry out its marijuana legalization initiative".

Vice

At the end of the day, the effective meaning of the Constitution and the law is not what you or I think it should mean based on a plain reading of the text, but whatever the courts say it means.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Just do a plain reading.

WikiHow

Barrister Martin McCann said: "There is nothing defamatory in either of these, on any plain reading of them.

BBC

On a plain text reading there's little disputing that the financial nexus of all things videogame is pretty much iPhones and such, and research consistently shows that new players increasingly enter the world of gaming through iPads.

TechCrunch

In fact, slightly more children reported having read a book on a tablet than on a plain e-reader device.

The New York Times

It lies isolated on a plain background.

Independent

Each bunch is arranged on a plain background.

The New York Times - Magazine

And yes, it is still fun with a plain old traditional PlayStation controller on a plain old 2-D television.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a plain reading" when you want to emphasize a straightforward, literal interpretation of a text, especially in legal, analytical, or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "on a plain reading" in casual conversation or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "clearly" or "obviously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a plain reading" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the basis of an interpretation. It indicates that the interpretation is derived from a straightforward, literal understanding of the text. Ludwig AI shows it's often used to present an objective viewpoint.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a plain reading" indicates a literal, unbiased interpretation of a text. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although it is considered rare. It is best suited for formal contexts, especially in legal, analytical, or academic writing. The most common context is News & Media. When a more informal tone is appropriate, consider using alternative phrases such as "clearly" or "obviously". While grammatically sound and generally used in formal contexts, be mindful of not overusing "on a plain reading" in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on a straightforward interpretation

Highlights the simplicity and lack of complexity in the interpretation.

by a simple reading

Focuses on the ease of understanding the text without requiring expertise.

according to a literal interpretation

Emphasizes adherence to the exact wording, potentially implying a lack of deeper analysis.

in a direct interpretation

Emphasizes the absence of indirectness or hidden meanings.

from a clear understanding

Highlights the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the interpretation.

understanding the text literally

Focuses on a strict adherence to the explicit meaning of the words.

as the text clearly states

Highlights the explicit nature of the information conveyed by the text.

following the explicit wording

Emphasizes the importance of the specific words used in the text.

taking the text at face value

Implies accepting the text's apparent meaning without suspicion or further investigation.

with a surface-level understanding

Suggests a lack of deep analysis or consideration of underlying context.

FAQs

What does "on a plain reading" mean?

The phrase "on a plain reading" refers to interpreting a text or statement in a straightforward, literal manner, without seeking hidden meanings or complex interpretations.

How to use "on a plain reading" in a sentence?

You can use "on a plain reading" to introduce an interpretation of a document or statement. For example, "On a plain reading of the contract, the company is not liable."

What can I say instead of "on a plain reading"?

You can use alternatives like "according to a literal interpretation", "based on a straightforward interpretation", or "by a simple reading" depending on the context.

Is "on a plain reading" suitable for informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "on a plain reading" is more suited to formal or analytical contexts. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "clearly" or "obviously" might be more appropriate.