plainly explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to provide a clear and straightforward explanation of a topic or concept. Example: "Please plainly explain the process so that everyone can understand it without confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She felt that this was a message the U.S. had to carry, and urged the administration to "plainly" explain to Americans (and thus Europeans) that while some detainees are very dangerous, many of them do not pose a serious threat.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He stated that the author plainly explained the topic and maintained the same argument throughout the article.

Language Testing in Asia

The EEOC has never plainly explained how you tell whether a major life activity is limited by the illness.

Forbes

As quoted by The Verge's Tom Warren, Ballmer plainly explained that the company "built a few more devices than [it] could sell".

TechCrunch

The photo caption plainly explained: "Four young Palestinian boys, all cousins, were killed".

Los Angeles Times

I suggest that the purpose of this sophisticated statistical analyses be more clear, or may be also plainly explained.

F1000Research

Mr. Gephardt said the new focus on securing the future would provide the framework to "plainly and simply explain to people all over the country where Democrats are coming from".

The New York Times

The technical terms we did keep we made sure to explain as plainly as possible.

The Guardian

Later she asked him why he relinquished the opportunity, and he explained plainly: "People don't want to see me cry".

The New York Times - Arts

This handy little device had no doubt given the man decades of reliable service, and yet, as he explained plainly to the employee, "It broke".

The New Yorker

"We'd use law enforcement tactics to target big-time dealers," Gondo explained plainly when he was on the stand.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly explain" when you want to emphasize the straightforwardness and ease of understanding in the explanation. This is particularly useful when dealing with complex topics or concepts.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex sentence structures or vocabulary when trying to "plainly explain" something. The goal is clarity, so prioritize simplicity over sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly explain" functions as a directive, typically used to request or instruct someone to provide a clear and easily understandable explanation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly explain" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for requesting or instructing someone to provide a clear and straightforward explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, with a focus on ensuring clarity and comprehension. While alternatives like ""clearly explain"" and ""simply explain"" offer similar meanings, "plainly explain" emphasizes directness and ease of understanding. To use it effectively, prioritize simplicity and avoid jargon to ensure your explanation is accessible to your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly explain

Emphasizes clarity and lack of ambiguity in the explanation.

simply explain

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of complexity in the explanation.

explain in simple terms

Highlights the use of basic language to facilitate understanding.

explain directly

Stresses the straightforwardness and absence of indirectness in the explanation.

elucidate clearly

Suggests a more thorough and enlightening explanation.

articulate clearly

Focuses on the ability to express the explanation in a clear and coherent manner.

spell out clearly

Implies a detailed and step-by-step explanation.

make it understandable

Shifts the focus to the receiver's comprehension of the explanation.

break it down

Indicates simplifying a complex topic into smaller parts to explain it.

clarify the explanation

Emphasizes the act of making the existing explanation more understandable.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly explain" when you want someone to provide a clear and straightforward explanation of a topic or concept. For example, "Could you "plainly explain" the process so that everyone can understand it without confusion?"

What are some alternatives to "plainly explain"?

Alternatives to "plainly explain" include "clearly explain", "simply explain", or "explain in simple terms".

Is it better to "plainly explain" or "thoroughly explain" a concept?

Whether you should "plainly explain" or "thoroughly explain" depends on your audience and the context. "Plainly explain" is best when you need to convey the basic idea quickly and easily, while "thoroughly explain" is more appropriate when you need to cover all the details and nuances.

What does it mean to "plainly explain" something?

To ""plainly explain"" something means to describe or clarify it in a way that is easy to understand, without unnecessary jargon or complexity. It emphasizes clarity and simplicity.