plainly clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to make it clear to the reader that something is obvious and easy to understand. For example: "The instructions were plainly clear, making it easy for everyone to follow along."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The crowd was on its toes and made its views plainly clear.

The Economist

The difference from the this year's conference and last year's was plainly clear.

The New York Times

The blackboard at Public School 212 in the Bronx made the sole objective for the first day of school plainly clear: defining rules and routines.

The New York Times

A local historian I'd spoken to, Dixie Hibbs, told me that Maker's has always invested in image, and this is plainly clear.

The New York Times - Travel

Yet for all literature's interest in law as a subject, the connections between literature and law, or among novelists and lawyers and judges, for that matter, are not immediately and plainly clear.

The New York Times - Books

"We are well used to politicians seeking to wriggle out of things that are plainly clear – it's something that, frankly, we all get engaged in from time to time," said Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I entered the stall, turned and there it was, written plainly, large and clear: "I love Sarvis".

The New York Times

So there is a stalemate, but in deciding to speak out so plainly it is clear is the BMA wants to raise the temperature of this debate.

BBC

Plainly, better and clearer rules are needed.

The Economist

It is plainly time for clear-sightedness, diplomatic finesse and the exercise of the sort of moral authority that comes with ungrudging respect.

The Economist

Benjamin Wittes, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, this week described our current Congress as a greater danger to national security than Al Qaeda, writing, "We don't tend to talk about Congress as — at this stage — what it plainly is: the clearest and most present danger in the world to the national security of the United States".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly clear" to emphasize that something is not only easy to understand, but also presented in a straightforward manner. It adds a layer of obviousness and directness to your writing.

Common error

While "plainly clear" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced vocabulary to convey clarity, such as "unambiguous" or "explicit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly clear" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or clause to emphasize the obviousness and ease of understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, and examples show its use to highlight the lack of ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly clear" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the obviousness and ease of understanding something. Ludwig AI confirms this. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in strictly formal or academic writing, opting for more specific vocabulary. Common alternatives include "absolutely clear" and "obviously clear". Its primary function is to highlight a lack of ambiguity, making it particularly useful in instructional or descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely clear

Emphasizes the certainty of clarity.

utterly clear

Similar to "absolutely clear", but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

perfectly clear

Highlights that something is without any ambiguity.

evidently clear

Indicates clarity based on available evidence.

totally clear

Similar to absolutely and utterly clear

obviously clear

Suggests the clarity is easily perceived.

openly clear

Replaces "plainly" with "openly", suggesting something is clear and not hidden.

readily apparent

Indicates that something is easily noticeable or understood.

unmistakably obvious

Combines the ideas of being clear and impossible to misunderstand.

easily understood

Focuses on the ease of understanding something.

FAQs

How can I use "plainly clear" in a sentence?

You can use "plainly clear" to emphasize that something is very obvious and easy to understand. For example: "The instructions were "plainly clear", making it easy for everyone to follow along."

What are some alternatives to "plainly clear"?

Some alternatives to "plainly clear" include "absolutely clear", "utterly clear", or "obviously clear" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "plainly clear" redundant?

While some may consider "plainly clear" somewhat redundant, the combination emphasizes the obviousness and ease of understanding. It's a matter of style and the desired level of emphasis.

In what contexts is "plainly clear" most appropriate?

"Plainly clear" is appropriate in many contexts, but it's particularly effective when you want to highlight the straightforward nature of something. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, though it may be best to avoid it in highly academic writing in favor of more nuanced language.