plain right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plain right" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to emphasize that something is simply correct or straightforward, but it is not widely recognized. Example: "The answer to the question is plain right; there's no debate about it."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Or perhaps, on reflection, Cameron is just plain right.

The Guardian - Film

If taxes are inherently bad, tax cutting seems not only sensible but just plain right.

The New Yorker

He describes his party as being plain "right", but distances it strenuously from its blackshirt antecedents: "No party these days has ideological ancestors, except perhaps the Refounded Communists".

The Economist

But the evidence is plain, right there in various shades of stomach-turning brown: there are more than enough bad apples here in the Big Apple to spoil your bunch.

The Guardian - Opinion

The reason it does is made plain right on Page 3, in sentiments of which Hemingway would approve: "What follows is neither true nor false but what I know".

The New York Times

Liverpool's penalty might have been a little fortunate, but we were plain right robbed on several occasions before that.... even prior to Atl scoring.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But it used to be argued that such attitudes were mainly the property of older people, or rural Swiss, or plain right-wing traditionalists.

The Economist

Thus, the law makes plain the right of the United States to refuse to accept Mr. Waldheim.

The New York Times

He's been hiding in plain sight, right under Cersei's nose.

The New Yorker

The Pakistani intelligence service must have known that Bin Laden was hiding in plain sight right near a military academy and did nothing whatsoever about it.

The New York Times

Though not as compelling as "Twin Peaks" was, "Big Love" evokes something that David Lynch did in that series: the way deep weirdness can hide in plain sight, right on our own street.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plain right", consider the context to ensure the phrase's informality aligns with your intended tone. While acceptable, it's not always the most professional choice.

Common error

Avoid using "plain right" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "absolutely correct" or "unquestionably right" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain right" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated noun. It expresses a straightforward or simple form of correctness. As Ludwig AI explains, although understandable, the expression may come across as informal, which has an impact based on context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plain right" is an acceptable, though somewhat informal, way to express that something is simply and obviously correct. While understandable, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrasing can be seen as unusual. Analysis of various sources reveals that it is most commonly found in News & Media, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "simply correct" or "absolutely correct". When writing, be mindful of your audience and the desired tone to ensure that "plain right" is the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply correct

Replaces "plain" with "simply", emphasizing the straightforward correctness.

clearly right

Substitutes "plain" with "clearly", highlighting the lack of ambiguity.

absolutely right

Intensifies the correctness with "absolutely", leaving no space for ambiguity.

obviously correct

Emphasizes the self-evident nature of the correctness.

undeniably right

Highlights the indisputable nature of being correct.

completely correct

Emphasizes the completeness of the correctness.

patently correct

Uses "patently" to suggest the correctness is easily and obviously discernible.

unquestionably correct

Indicates there is no room for doubt about the correctness.

straightforwardly correct

Highlights that the correctness is easy to understand and direct.

evidently right

Indicates that the correctness is apparent and easily seen.

FAQs

What does "plain right" mean?

The phrase "plain right" means something is simply or obviously correct. It suggests a straightforward correctness without complication.

What can I say instead of "plain right"?

You can use alternatives like "simply correct", "obviously correct", or "absolutely correct" depending on the context.

Is "plain right" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "plain right" is less common in formal writing. It's generally acceptable in informal contexts, but more precise and standard phrasing might be preferable for professional communication.

When is it appropriate to use "plain right"?

It's appropriate to use "plain right" in casual conversations or informal writing where a straightforward and simple expression of correctness is desired. Avoid it in formal or academic settings.