plain that out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plain that out" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation of the phrase "plain it out," which means to clarify or explain something clearly. Example: "Can you please plain it out for me? I'm having trouble understanding the concept."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet it is plain that, out of state hands, Eskom would be harder to boss about, however indirectly.To be fair, Mr Mbeki's attention to detail has helped to stabilise the economy at a time of turbulence in other emerging markets, not least in Africa.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Who said this about the Mariana Trench, seven miles under the Pacific: "It was a very, very soft, almost gelatinous flat plain, an almost featureless plain, that went out of sight as far as I could see".

The Guardian

I stared out at the plain that was covered, all the way to the horizon, with deep yellow grass that seemed to move almost on its own, undulating to a rhythm that came straight from the earth and that the human ear couldn't pick up.

Forbes

Mr bin Laden and his men have made it plain that they are out to inflict maximum punishment on the infidel nations, and that they want unconventional weapons.It is surely right, given the emergence of such a threat, to turn previous assumptions about terrorism and public safety upside down.

The Economist

Short patterned skirt with a plain top that brings out one of the colors in the pattern.

WikiHow

Clash geometric prints with florals for real impact or keep things more conventional with a ditsy print skirt and simple shirt plain skirt that picks out one colour in the skirt's pattern.

WikiHow

He made it plain that he'd pull out more stops than any other Democratic presidential candidate in recent times to court the evangelicals.

Huffington Post

Shalit goes on to contend: "It is plain that the undercover journalists set out to entrap her.

The Guardian

They can also yield contacts with like-minded hobbyists who are just plain tuckered out after all that outdoor summer fun and plan to rest indoors until, oh, April or so.

The New York Times

Mike Gravel, a Democrat, said in April that the United States "should just plain get out".

The New York Times

The valley opens out into a plain that slopes gently down to the northern end of Lake Urmia, 60 km to the west.

Ecological Processes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, prioritize using standard English phrases such as "explain that clearly" or "make that clear" instead of the non-standard "plain that out".

Common error

Avoid directly translating idiomatic expressions or phrases from other languages, as this can lead to grammatically incorrect or nonsensical phrases in English. Always verify the correctness of a phrase in a reliable English dictionary or grammar guide.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain that out" is grammatically incorrect and does not function as a standard expression in English. As Ludwig AI points out, it appears to be a misinterpretation or non-standard usage, lacking a clear grammatical role or established meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plain that out" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that it is likely a misinterpretation or non-standard construction. While the intended meaning is typically to request clarification, using more standard phrases like "explain that clearly" or "clarify that" is advisable to ensure clarity and avoid potential misunderstandings. Although examples can be found across various sources, from News & Media to Wiki, its low frequency and grammatical issues suggest avoiding it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plain it out

Corrects the grammatical structure to a more commonly used form suggesting clarification.

make that clear

Replaces the phrase with a standard expression indicating clarity and explicitness.

explain that clearly

Offers a more direct and grammatically correct way to express the need for clarification.

clarify that

Provides a concise alternative emphasizing the act of making something understandable.

spell it out

Replaces the phrase with an idiomatic expression meaning to explain something in a very simple and direct manner.

state that explicitly

Suggests a more formal and emphatic way to express something without ambiguity.

make it obvious

Replaces the phrase with a more informal expression highlighting the lack of subtlety.

illuminate that

Offers a more sophisticated and figurative way to express the act of clarifying something.

articulate that precisely

Suggests a formal and meticulous way to express something with accuracy.

elucidate that

Provides a more formal and refined way to express the act of clarifying something complex.

FAQs

How can I use the word "plain" correctly in a sentence?

The word "plain" can be used as an adjective, meaning simple or ordinary (e.g., "a plain cake"). It can also be part of idiomatic expressions like "plain and simple" or "make it plain" (meaning to make something clear). However, the phrase "plain that out" is not grammatically correct.

What's a more appropriate way to say "plain that out"?

Instead of "plain that out", consider using phrases like "explain that clearly", "clarify that", or "make that clear" to express the need for clarification.

Is "plain it out" grammatically correct?

The phrase "plain it out" is more grammatically sound than "plain that out" and is closer to correct usage. However, it's still less common and less formal than alternatives like "explain it" or "clarify it".

How does the phrase "make it plain" differ from "plain that out"?

The phrase "make it plain" is an idiomatic expression that means to make something very clear or obvious. In contrast, "plain that out" is not a recognized or grammatically correct phrase in standard English. Using "make it plain" ensures your message is clear and easily understood.