plain to see

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plain to see" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate something that is easily noticeable or obvious. For example, "The solution was plain to see; I just hadn't been looking in the right place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's plain to see.

Independent

The benefits are plain to see.

Independent

The reason is plain to see.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But its fragility is plain to see.

The New York Times

And it's plain to see.

The New York Times

It is plain to see why.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, it was plain to see.

The Guardian

The effects are plain to see.

The New York Times

It is all too plain to see.

The Guardian - Sport

The bloody results are plain to see.

The Guardian

It was plain to see, really.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plain to see" when you want to emphasize that something is very obvious and easily understood, leaving no room for doubt.

Common error

While "plain to see" is a useful idiom, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to incorporate synonyms like "obvious", "evident", or "apparent" for a more varied and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plain to see" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is obvious or easily understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used to indicate something readily apparent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plain to see" is a commonly used and grammatically sound idiom that indicates something is obvious or easily understood. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Its neutral register allows for use across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "obvious" or "evident" to maintain writing variety. The phrase’s primary function is to emphasize clarity and leave no room for doubt, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious

A more concise way of saying something is very clear.

clearly evident

Similar meaning, but highlights the evidence supporting the observation.

apparent

Shorter and slightly more formal than "plain to see".

crystal clear

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of confusion.

readily apparent

More formal and emphasizes the obviousness of something.

unmistakable

Highlights the lack of ambiguity or doubt.

easy to understand

Emphasizes the simplicity of comprehension rather than the visual aspect.

self-evident

Suggests the truth is obvious without needing proof.

easily noticeable

Focuses on how easy it is to notice something.

manifest

Implies something is revealed or displayed openly.

FAQs

How can I use "plain to see" in a sentence?

You can use "plain to see" to describe something that is very obvious or easily understood. For example, "It was "plain to see" that she was unhappy with the decision."

What are some alternatives to "plain to see"?

Alternatives to "plain to see" include "obvious", "evident", "apparent", and "easy to understand" depending on the specific context.

Is "plain to see" a formal or informal expression?

"Plain to see" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "clearly evident" or "readily apparent".

What's the difference between "plain to see" and "easy to see"?

While similar, "plain to see" emphasizes the obviousness of something, whereas "easy to see" focuses on the lack of difficulty in perceiving it. "It was "plain to see" he was lying" suggests his deception was blatant. "It was "easy to see" the bird's nest in the tree" suggests it wasn't difficult to spot.