plainly ridiculous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly ridiculous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is obviously absurd or nonsensical. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day is plainly ridiculous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The phrase is not simply plainly ridiculous, it's pathetically so.

The New Yorker

He says the new hotel is far better than the old dormitory, but adds that some of the hotel's rules are plainly ridiculous.

The New York Times

12.10pm: Gary Naylor tells it like it should be: "Andrew Jolly's suggestion that we invade China in order to top the medal table is plainly ridiculous.

The Guardian - Sport

Google insists that it has always been transparent about this practice.Like watchdogs for chocolateYet even if Google has to make some concessions in the end, talk of its predicament being the same as Microsoft's in the 1990s is plainly ridiculous.

The Economist

One or two seasons is reasonable – clubs need some assistance in adjusting from the stratospheric salaries in the Premier League to something resembling ordinary life – the current number of four is plainly ridiculous.

The Guardian - Sport

But it is crying out for somebody to apply common sense when the pay calculator spits out a plainly ridiculous figure of £14m, up 20%, for the boss in a year such as the one BP has just had.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

This is simply ridiculous.

Human Ecology

That, plainly, is ridiculous.

The Guardian - Sport

Which plainly seems fucking ridiculous.

Vice

This, plainly, is absurd.

The Guardian - Film

I suppose they assumed I would not have to ask him a series of ridiculous questions since I plainly had a reasonable depth of knowledge about the front-line tigers of SPECWARCOM.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly ridiculous" to express a strong sense of disbelief or disagreement with something that is obviously flawed or illogical. It conveys a more assertive tone than simply saying something is 'wrong'.

Common error

While "plainly ridiculous" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing, where more nuanced or professional language might be more appropriate. Instead, use more formal alternatives such as "clearly erroneous" or "demonstrably false".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly ridiculous" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or idea to express strong disagreement or disbelief. As evidenced by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the obvious absurdity or nonsensical nature of the subject being described.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plainly ridiculous" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express strong disagreement with something considered obviously absurd. As shown in examples provided by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, conveying a neutral to slightly assertive tone. Alternative phrases include "clearly absurd" and "obviously ludicrous". While its usage is generally acceptable, it's important to consider the formality of the context. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase's validity and provides a range of real-world examples for effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly absurd

Emphasizes clarity and lack of logic rather than direct ridicule.

obviously ludicrous

Highlights the laughable and exaggerated nature of something.

patently absurd

Focuses on the undeniable and blatant absurdity.

unquestionably preposterous

Stresses the lack of any reasonable basis and its utter foolishness.

blatantly nonsensical

Points out the obvious lack of sense or meaning.

simply ludicrous

Uses 'ludicrous' which implies something is laughably or absurdly out of place.

downright laughable

Indicates something is so absurd that it is worthy of laughter.

undeniably foolish

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom or good judgement.

manifestly silly

Highlights the transparently trivial and unserious nature.

transparently absurd

Stresses the obvious and easily perceived absurdity.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly ridiculous" to describe something that is obviously absurd or nonsensical. For instance, "The suggestion that we could complete the project in an hour is "plainly ridiculous"".

What are some alternatives to "plainly ridiculous"?

Alternatives to "plainly ridiculous" include "clearly absurd", "obviously ludicrous", or "patently absurd". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "plainly ridiculous" suitable for formal writing?

While "plainly ridiculous" is generally acceptable, it might be too informal for certain formal contexts. In such cases, consider using phrases like "clearly erroneous" or "demonstrably false" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "plainly ridiculous" and "simply ridiculous"?

"Plainly ridiculous" emphasizes the obviousness of something being ridiculous, whereas "simply ridiculous" conveys a more straightforward assessment of something as ridiculous. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the obviousness or just the inherent absurdity.