plainly evident

USAGE SUMMARY

"plainly evident" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is clearly visible or obvious. For example, "The effects of climate change are plainly evident in the rapid melting of the polar ice caps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their glee is plainly evident.

MIT Technology Review

Yet in this case the transfer seems plainly evident.

The Guardian - Books

It was plainly evident even in the team's practice Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Photographs showed a gaping hole, plainly evident because the tunnels are largely above ground.

The Washington Post

But his speed, his elusiveness and his potential were plainly evident on one incomplete pass.

The New York Times - Sports

Even on a campus swarming with tens of thousands of people, decentralisation is plainly evident.

Independent

The success of United Nations peacekeeping is plainly evident here, even if limited.

The New York Times

The researchers say this effect of money is plainly evident in everyday life.

The New York Times - Health

And the maturation of Jurevicius, now in his third year, is also plainly evident.

The New York Times - Sports

Corruption is plainly evident at elite Vietnamese schools, where slots for pupils are routinely sold for $3,000 each.

The Economist

That the Ocean Course would find such renown was not plainly evident in 1989 when the project was started.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly evident" to emphasize that something is not just visible, but also easily understood or recognized without much analysis. It adds a layer of clarity and certainty to your statement.

Common error

While "plainly evident" is acceptable, avoid overusing it, particularly in formal writing. Vary your language by using alternatives such as "clearly apparent" or "easily noticeable" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly evident" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is easily seen or understood. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly evident" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that functions to emphasize the clear and easily understood nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. While its register is generally neutral, it is most commonly found in news and media, followed by science and academic writing. When using this phrase, consider the subtle differences between it and similar alternatives like "clearly apparent" or "obviously clear" to ensure the tone and emphasis are appropriate for your intended audience. Overuse can be avoided by incorporating a variety of synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly apparent

Focuses on the readily visible or obvious nature.

obviously clear

Emphasizes the lack of doubt or ambiguity.

easily noticeable

Highlights the ease with which something can be observed.

readily visible

Stresses the immediate visibility of something.

unmistakably obvious

Implies that there's no possibility of misinterpreting something.

patently obvious

Highlights the undeniable and self-evident nature of something.

distinctly clear

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity.

unquestionably apparent

Highlights the lack of doubt about something being visible or understood.

manifestly obvious

Stresses that something is plainly revealed or displayed.

blatantly obvious

Highlights that something is conspicuously and offensively obvious.

FAQs

How to use "plainly evident" in a sentence?

Use "plainly evident" to describe something that is easily seen or understood. For example, "The impact of the new policy was plainly evident in the improved performance metrics."

What can I say instead of "plainly evident"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly apparent", "obviously clear", or "easily noticeable" depending on the specific context.

Is "plainly evident" formal or informal?

"Plainly evident" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider using a more nuanced alternative.

What's the difference between "plainly evident" and "plainly obvious"?

While similar, "plainly obvious" suggests something is impossible to miss or misunderstand, whereas "plainly evident" suggests that something is easily perceived and understood upon observation. The difference is subtle but can affect the tone of your writing.