plainly obvious

USAGE SUMMARY

"plainly obvious" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means something that is clearly and easily seen or understood. Example: It was plainly obvious that Sarah was lying, as her face turned bright red and she avoided making eye contact.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But, in fact, tensions between "minority" groups could soon be more plainly obvious than any solidarity.

The New York Times

And then he admitted what had been plainly obvious during four hours of brutal football.

The Washington Post

This is not conspiracy theory — it's plainly obvious to anyone examining the situation.

The New York Times

More recently, the league introduced replay options for home runs, admitting the plainly obvious fact that umpires sometimes need help.

The New Yorker

"It will be plainly obvious to the traveling public who has this and who doesn't," Mr. Maruster said.

The New York Times

For Enatsu, the explanation is plainly obvious: "The biggest reason is Lotte changed managers from Valentine to Nishimura" and "Rakuten's troubles stem from the exact opposite move".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Now plainly, the most obvious way to cut your chances of dying from smoking would be to stop smoking.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was plainly disoriented, and it was obvious to everyone who saw him that he had just passed through the crossing.

The New Yorker

Add to those CV items the fact that Haw's Princeton thesis was about the relationship between architecture and music, and it becomes obvious that Atmos is plainly not a standard-issue design practice.

Independent

Thus we move from an obvious semantic fact that "good" is plainly meaningful to a much more contentious metaphysical claim that there is a corresponding property of goodness.

SEP

Put plainly, the double standard at play here is obvious.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using "plainly obvious". If the concept might not be universally understood, provide a brief explanation to ensure clarity and avoid alienating readers.

Common error

Avoid using "plainly obvious" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound condescending or repetitive. Instead, vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "clearly evident" or "readily apparent" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly obvious" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is easily seen or understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly encountered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly obvious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes something easily seen or understood. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely accepted in written English. Its primary function is adjectival, serving to emphasize clarity and self-evidence. While versatile, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. To avoid redundancy, consider using synonyms like "clearly evident" or "readily apparent". Overusing "plainly obvious" can also be seen as condescending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly evident

Replaces "plainly" with "clearly" and "obvious" with "evident", both synonyms that emphasize ease of understanding.

easily understood

Focuses on the accessibility of comprehension, rather than the visual aspect of being obvious.

readily apparent

Emphasizes quick and easy recognition of something.

patently clear

Replaces "plainly" with "patently" and "obvious" with "clear", both highlighting the undeniable nature of something.

undeniably clear

Highlights the indisputable nature of the clarity.

crystal clear

Uses a metaphor to describe the clarity of something, implying it's easy to see through.

manifestly evident

Stresses the conspicuous and unmistakable nature of something.

unmistakably obvious

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in something being obvious.

transparently clear

Emphasizes the ease of seeing through something, metaphorically.

self-evident

Indicates something that requires no proof or explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly obvious" to describe something that is very easy to see or understand. For example, "It was "plainly obvious" that he was lying because he avoided eye contact."

What are some alternatives to "plainly obvious"?

Some alternatives to "plainly obvious" include "clearly evident", "readily apparent", and "easily understood".

Is "plainly obvious" a formal or informal expression?

"Plainly obvious" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing.

Is it redundant to say "plainly obvious"?

While both words convey a sense of clarity, "plainly" emphasizes the ease of seeing or understanding, while "obvious" emphasizes the fact that it should be apparent to everyone. Using them together can reinforce the idea, but avoid overusing the phrase to prevent redundancy.