plain as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plain as a" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is very clear or obvious. An example is: "The answer was plain as a nose on your face." Alternative expressions include "clear as day" and "obvious as can be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I'm as plain as a loaf of bread".

The New York Times - Books

Dang Duc Thuc said the matter was as plain as a plate of white rice.

The New York Times

It is as terse and plain as a punch in the gut.

The Guardian

Sometimes a modern school or hospital — decent, but low and plain as a shed.

The New Yorker

The president of Russia is as plain as a glass of tea.

The New York Times

The plain as a whole is composed of deep layers of sediment and is extremely flat and, in places, swampy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Sometimes, the real issue – the plain-as-a-pikestaff, nose-on-your-face big issue – sits elsewhere, in the column headed "gender".

The Guardian - Opinion

Was it just a year later that adopters of the inflated bowler, fedora or toque traded in those zany styles for the comparatively tame, plain-as-a-flapjack beret?

The New York Times

The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adria (Phaidon) is a plain-as-a-pikestaff guide to simple cuisine (spaghetti with tomato and basil, salt cod with braised vegetables) that features 1,500 colour illustrations and step-by-step instructions, as though for slightly dim children.

Independent

But for pure and simple boosterism, it's hard to beat the chant at Johns Hopkins University: Hi-lo, Hi-lee, It's plain as A-B-C, If anyone's going to win today, It's we, we, we!

The New York Times

The road lies through an open plain as far as can be seen.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plain as a" to emphasize that something is very obvious or easy to understand. It's most effective when comparing to something familiar to your audience.

Common error

While "plain as a" is widely understood, overuse can make your writing sound unoriginal. Consider fresher, more vivid comparisons to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain as a" functions as a simile, used to create a comparison that emphasizes the obviousness or simplicity of something. It's a common way to make a statement more emphatic, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plain as a" is a simile used to emphasize the clarity or obviousness of something. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Science. While effective for making a point straightforward, it's advisable to avoid overuse to keep your writing original. Remember, its effectiveness relies on comparing to something well-known to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear as day

Changes the metaphor to emphasize visual clarity.

crystal clear

Uses the metaphor of crystal to denote extreme clarity.

as clear as glass

Changes the simile to emphasize visual clarity, similar to "crystal clear".

obvious as can be

Focuses on the undisputable nature of something.

simple as ABC

Changes the simile to emphasize how easy something is.

evident

A single-word synonym emphasizing clarity.

unmistakable

Highlights the lack of ambiguity.

patent

Emphasizes that something is easily recognizable.

easy to see

Simple phrasing indicating clear visibility or understanding.

readily apparent

Highlights the quick and easy understanding of something.

FAQs

How can I use "plain as a" in a sentence?

Use "plain as a" to emphasize the obviousness of something by comparing it to a well-known object or concept. For example, "The answer was "plain as day"".

What are some alternatives to saying "plain as a"?

You can use alternatives like "clear as day", "obvious as can be", or "crystal clear" to convey the same meaning.

Is it better to say "plain as a" or "simple as a"?

While both convey ease of understanding, "plain as a" focuses more on obviousness, whereas "simple as a" emphasizes lack of complexity. Choose based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "plain as a"?

Avoid using "plain as a" in very formal or technical contexts where a more precise and less figurative expression is expected.