plainly hilarious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly hilarious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is obviously or clearly funny. Example: "The comedian's latest routine was plainly hilarious, leaving the audience in stitches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I know it seems absurd, because it's gentrified Williamsburg, and it will all cost a fortune, and "would you like your steak with or without handbag" is a plainly hilarious question, not least when uttered by a waiter with a hipster's mustache.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Apparently, I'm hilarious.

Independent

Plainly dressed.

Independent

Speak plainly.

The New Yorker

Hilarious, right?

The New York Times

Why hilarious?

The New York Times

Fucking hilarious.

The New Yorker

ADDRESS plainly.

The New Yorker

Plainly not.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Plainly saying" entails not plainly saying.

The New York Times - Books

He is plainly clever.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly hilarious" to describe situations, statements, or events where the humor is immediately and obviously apparent to most observers. It's effective when emphasizing the lack of subtlety in the humor.

Common error

Avoid using "plainly hilarious" excessively in formal writing or professional settings. While grammatically correct, its informal tone might not always be appropriate. Consider using more nuanced or sophisticated language to describe humor in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly hilarious" functions as a descriptive expression, modifying a noun or situation to indicate that something is obviously and unambiguously funny. It emphasizes the clarity and ease with which the humor can be perceived. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly hilarious" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is obviously funny. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression, predominantly found in news and media contexts. While effective for emphasizing clear and overt humor, it should be used judiciously in formal settings where a more nuanced tone may be preferable. Alternatives include "obviously hilarious" or "clearly hilarious". Despite its correctness, its infrequent usage suggests considering context and audience when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously hilarious

Replaces "plainly" with its direct synonym "obviously", maintaining the core meaning of clear amusement.

clearly hilarious

Substitutes "plainly" with "clearly", another synonym emphasizing the evident nature of the humor.

unquestionably hilarious

Emphasizes the humor is so obvious there's no question about it, adding stronger emphasis.

undeniably hilarious

Similar to "unquestionably hilarious", highlighting that the humor can't be denied or refuted.

patently hilarious

Uses "patently" as a more formal synonym for "plainly", suggesting the humor is easily apparent.

blatantly hilarious

Indicates the humor is not only obvious but also possibly intentional or overt.

unmistakably hilarious

Highlights that the humor is so clear that it cannot be mistaken for anything else.

evidently hilarious

Replaces "plainly" with "evidently", indicating that the humor is apparent from the evidence.

laughably obvious

Reverses the structure, emphasizing the obviousness of the humor that it is laughable.

unreservedly funny

Shifts focus from obviousness to the unreserved or complete nature of the funniness.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly hilarious" to describe something that is clearly and obviously funny. For example, "The comedian's routine was "plainly hilarious", eliciting laughter from the entire audience."

What are some alternatives to "plainly hilarious"?

Alternatives include "obviously hilarious", "clearly hilarious", or "unquestionably hilarious". Each emphasizes the evident nature of the humor.

Is "plainly hilarious" a formal or informal expression?

"Plainly hilarious" leans towards the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "evidently humorous" or "unmistakably amusing".

What's the difference between "plainly hilarious" and "mildly amusing"?

"Plainly hilarious" suggests the humor is obvious and elicits strong laughter, while "mildly amusing" implies a gentler, less intense form of humor. The former is overt, the latter is subtle.