plain text

USAGE SUMMARY

"plain text" is correct and usable in written English and can be used in various contexts.
As an example, you might write, "The instructions were sent to him in plain text – no formatting, no graphics, just words."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plain text.

Cornell University

But they're plain text.

The New York Times - Tech

Plain text is preferred.

Princeton University

User Guide in plain text.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Plain text with some PDFs.

Cornell University

That way is plain text.

Harvard University

The kids' passwords are just plain text.

The Guardian - Tech

.dsk Description of files (plain text).

Columbia University

k11cmd.mac: Kermit-11 Edit History (plain text).

Columbia University

Plain text or.log formats are preferable.

Yale University

Plain text or PDF formats are preferable.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For sensitive information, never transmit passwords or personal details in "plain text". Always use encryption.

Common error

Do not assume that "plain text" is inherently secure. Transmitting sensitive data in "plain text" exposes it to potential interception and misuse. Always use encryption for sensitive information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain text" functions primarily as a noun, referring to text in its simplest, unformatted state. As seen in Ludwig, it describes data consisting of readable characters without styling or encryption. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

37%

News & Media

30%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plain text" refers to unformatted, readable text, devoid of styling or encryption. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It is frequently used in academic, scientific, and news contexts to ensure compatibility and clarity. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid transmitting sensitive information in "plain text" due to security risks. When portability is crucial, consider using "plain text" format to prevent compatibility issues across different systems. Related phrases include "unformatted text" and "clear text", offering slight variations in emphasis while maintaining similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear text

Highlights the readability and lack of obfuscation.

human-readable text

Directly states that the text is designed to be easily understood by humans.

flat text

Indicates that the text lacks any hierarchical structure or formatting.

unencrypted text

Specifically points out the absence of encryption.

simple text

Underscores the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of the text.

unformatted text

Emphasizes the absence of any formatting or styling.

basic text

Similar to "simple text", but emphasizes the fundamental nature of the text.

raw text

Focuses on the unprocessed, original state of the text.

decoded text

Implies that the text was previously encoded and has been converted back to a readable form.

ascii text

Refers to text encoded using the ASCII standard.

FAQs

How do I ensure my email is sent in "plain text" format?

Most email clients allow you to choose the format of your messages. Look for an option to send emails in "plain text" rather than HTML or rich text format in your email settings.

Why is it important to avoid storing passwords in "plain text"?

Storing passwords in "plain text" makes them easily accessible if a database is compromised. Always use proper encryption or hashing techniques to protect passwords.

What are the advantages of using "plain text" files?

"Plain text" files are highly portable, compatible with virtually all operating systems and text editors, and are less prone to corruption than formatted files. They are also easily searchable and editable.

What's the difference between "plain text" and "rich text"?

"Plain text" contains only characters, without any formatting or styling. "Rich text", on the other hand, can include formatting such as bold, italics, different fonts, and images.