plainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is clear, obvious, or straightforward. Example: "She stated her opinion plainly, leaving no room for misunderstanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Lord Mandelson is just plainly wrong," she told the BBC.

The Guardian - Money

Having had what he plainly regarded as a successful day delivering his autumn statement the other week, George Osborne sounded as though he had woken up with a hangover when he lost his cool on the Today programme and complained bitterly about the BBC's coverage.

The Guardian - Business

Except that the ideal of the gentleman-legislator who cuts backroom deals in the public interest seems plainly an illusion in the age of 24-hour news cycles and constant pressure from interest groups with seemingly unlimited financial and, ultimately, electoral fire-power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such critics plainly think Mr Farage is too divisive and unreliable to deliver a majority to get the UK out of Europe in a referendum.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Hungarians had plainly been a force since they emerged from behind the Iron Curtain to win the Helsinki Olympic tournament in 1952.

The Guardian - Sport

Some admire Gove's free-spirited willingness to try out ideas, and then ditch them; his willingness to confess plainly to the Commons that he had gone "a bridge too far" was certainly refreshing.

The Guardian

Put plainly, Scarlets were pretty sore when they announced in March that their young fly-half was on his way.

The Guardian - Sport

Abbott's recent comments about the threat of terrorism were plainly directed at the risk of Muslim terrorism.

The Guardian - Opinion

But what they want most is what they are plainly entitled to have: an acknowledgment from Turkey, and for that matter from the UK, that what happened to their people in 1915 was not a tragedy but a crime.

The Guardian - Books

Plainly the line – almost half a century old now – was picked to show just how long the impacts of fossil fuel burning have been known in the corridors of the highest powers.

The Guardian

It plainly existed for the benefit of the farming industry – it was a way of dumping milk on schools, and no longer had anything to do with the avoidance of rickets – but she became an object of criticism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly" when you want to emphasize the clarity and lack of ambiguity in your statement.

Common error

While "plainly" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated synonyms like "evidently" or "manifestly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "plainly" is to act as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. As Ludwig AI shows, it emphasizes clarity and lack of ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly" functions as an adverb to emphasize clarity and directness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its neutral register makes it suitable for general communication, more formal synonyms may be preferred in academic writing. When using "plainly", aim to underscore the obviousness of your statement, ensuring your message is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clearly

Focuses on the ease of understanding or perception.

Obviously

Highlights the self-evidence or lack of doubt.

Evidently

Indicates that something is apparent from the available evidence.

Manifestly

Emphasizes the undeniable or easily perceived nature of something.

Patently

Stresses the obviousness to the point of being indisputable.

Unambiguously

Indicates a lack of any possible confusion or misinterpretation.

Straightforwardly

Highlights the direct and uncomplicated manner of expression.

In a clear manner

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey clarity.

Without a doubt

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of ambiguity.

In simple terms

Highlights the use of basic language and lack of complication.

FAQs

How to use "plainly" in a sentence?

"Plainly" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating something is clear, obvious, or straightforward. For example, "She stated her opinion plainly."

What can I say instead of "plainly"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly", "obviously", or "evidently" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "plainly" or "simply"?

Both "plainly" and "simply" can indicate straightforwardness, but "plainly" emphasizes clarity and obviousness, while "simply" suggests a lack of complexity. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "plainly" and "obviously"?

"Plainly" indicates something is clear and easy to understand, while "obviously" implies that something is easily perceived or recognized. The words are often interchangeable, but "obviously" can sometimes suggest a stronger degree of self-evidence.