plain answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plain answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to request or provide a straightforward and direct response without any elaboration or complexity. Example: "I just need a plain answer to my question: Are we meeting tomorrow or not?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The plain answer is yes, unless they have a specialised interest in either of the other texts.

The Guardian - Books

(For details, see the essays of Mark Twain, who believed that "plain question and plain answer make the shortest road out of most perplexities").

The New York Times - Magazine

When Tynan returned to the matter in hand, asking Sartre if 'an author of extreme right-wing views could ever succeed in creating a work of art', he received a plain answer 'in my opinion, no'.

The Guardian - Film

"Plain question and plain answer make the shortest road out of most perplexities".

NeuroImage

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I haven't met a sharper, fitter 82-year-old since I interviewed an astronaut (Charlie Duke, thanks for asking), but Sanders nevertheless carries the air of a different generation's politics; attentiveness, pens and scraps of paper, plain answers, rosettes, unembarrassed morality, a wonderfully long view.

The Guardian

"There was no plain, easy answer," he added.

The New York Times

Isn't that what marriage is?"As judges around the country are increasingly making plain, the answer, at least for now, is yes.

The Economist

"Um, get rid of a couple of your chins?" was her (just plain wrong) answer.

Los Angeles Times

I am going to try to oversimplify and give you a "plain English" answer.

Huffington Post

But the Home Office's 60-page impact assessment, published with the rules, makes plain that the answer is a resounding no.

The Guardian

With Shake, on the other hand, you answer plain English questions about the deal that you're trying to reach, and the app will generate a relatively easy-to-understand contract that you and the other relevant parties can sign — right now the app offers agreements related to freelancing, confidentiality, buying/selling, renting, and loaning money.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plain answer" when you want to emphasize the need for a direct and easily understandable response, avoiding unnecessary details or complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "plain answer" in contexts where nuance or detailed explanations are required. Overusing it can make you sound dismissive or overly simplistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain answer" serves as a noun phrase, typically functioning as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the characteristic of an answer, emphasizing its simplicity and directness. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plain answer" is a grammatically sound and usable term for requesting or providing straightforward responses. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness. While not overly common, it appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. When using this phrase, prioritize clarity and directness, avoiding unnecessary complexity. Alternatives include "simple answer" and "direct answer".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple answer

Replaces "plain" with "simple", indicating a lack of complexity.

straightforward answer

Emphasizes the direct and uncomplicated nature of the response.

direct answer

Focuses on the lack of indirectness or evasion in the response.

clear answer

Highlights the understandability and lack of ambiguity in the response.

uncomplicated answer

Stresses the absence of complexity or difficulty in understanding the response.

explicit answer

Highlights the clear and precise nature of the response, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

unequivocal answer

Indicates a response that is absolute and leaves no doubt.

blunt answer

Suggests a direct and possibly tactless response.

candid answer

Implies an honest and straightforward, though possibly sensitive, response.

honest answer

Focuses on the truthfulness and sincerity of the response.

FAQs

How to use "plain answer" in a sentence?

You can use "plain answer" when requesting a straightforward response, such as, "I don't need any details, just give me a plain answer."

What can I say instead of "plain answer"?

You can use alternatives like "simple answer", "direct answer", or "clear answer" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "plain answer" or "simple answer"?

Both "plain answer" and "simple answer" are correct, but "plain answer" may emphasize a lack of embellishment, while "simple answer" highlights a lack of complexity.

What's the difference between "plain answer" and "honest answer"?

"Plain answer" focuses on the directness and lack of complexity of the response, whereas "honest answer" emphasizes the truthfulness and sincerity of the response.