plainly saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly saying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that something is being expressed in a clear and straightforward manner. Example: "He was plainly saying that he disagreed with the decision, leaving no room for misinterpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Plainly saying" entails not plainly saying.

The New York Times - Books

He stated his motivation plainly, saying, "The public needs to decide whether these programs and policies are right or wrong".

The New York Times

My future, he was plainly saying to himself, is in Greenville and this is good enough for Greenville, so let's go.

The New Yorker

Putin was plainly saying that Russia, no longer the post-Communist economic and military basket-case it briefly became under his predecessor Boris Yeltsin, does not need or seek American approval or agreement to take action in its own interests in Syria or anywhere else.

The Guardian

What resulted was Miles and Hurley discussing Chang with Miles plainly saying, "That douche is my dad" before a cut to a commercial break.

Wikipedia

Plainly, saying "certain areas" was giving a wink to his followers that the cheating would be done by African Americans and urging his backers to go to polling places and intimidate minority voters.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And the statute plainly says that such an alien "may apply for asylum".

The New York Times

"Let me state it plainly," said Mr. Kerry, a Democratic presidential contender.

The New York Times

Both implicated Mr. Posada in the plot in their statements to the police, though they did not plainly say he had planned it.

The New York Times

America, as Mr Obama more plainly said, thinks Britain is most influential inside the EU, so should not run the risk of leaving it.

The Economist

"Just a few minutes ago, Governor Bush said that a leader's responsibility is to speak plainly," said the chairman, William M. Daley.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "plainly saying" to capture a character's direct and honest communication style, showcasing their personality.

Common error

Avoid overusing "plainly saying" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "clearly articulating" or "explicitly stating" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly saying" functions as a verbal phrase used to emphasize the directness and clarity of a statement. It often introduces or highlights a speaker's intention to be unambiguous, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly saying" is a verbal phrase that emphasizes direct and clear communication. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates its common usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "explicitly stating" in academic or professional settings. When employing "plainly saying", ensure it genuinely enhances clarity and avoids overuse, maintaining a balanced and effective writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explicitly stating

Replaces 'saying' with 'stating' to emphasize a formal declaration, adding clarity and removing any ambiguity in the expression.

clearly articulating

Replaces both 'plainly' and 'saying' to suggest thoughtful and coherent expression, focusing on how the message is delivered.

directly conveying

Shifts the focus to the transmission of a message without any intermediaries or hidden meanings, emphasizing the straightforward nature of the communication.

openly expressing

Highlights the lack of concealment in the communication, indicating a willingness to share thoughts or feelings honestly and without reservation.

frankly declaring

Emphasizes the honesty and candor in the communication, suggesting a willingness to speak truthfully even if it may be uncomfortable or unpopular.

unequivocally asserting

Indicates a firm and definite statement, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation.

forthrightly communicating

Suggests directness and honesty in the manner of communication, emphasizing a lack of evasion or ambiguity.

simply putting it

Replaces "plainly saying" with a more concise phrase that conveys the same idea of simplifying a complex topic.

making it clear

Focuses on ensuring the audience understands the message, highlighting the intention to avoid confusion or misunderstanding.

putting it bluntly

Emphasizes a lack of tact or delicacy in the communication, suggesting a willingness to be direct even if it may be offensive to some.

FAQs

What does "plainly saying" mean?

"Plainly saying" means expressing something in a clear, direct, and easily understandable manner, leaving no room for confusion or misinterpretation.

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

You can use "plainly saying" to introduce a statement that clarifies or simplifies a previous point. For example, "He was "clearly saying" he disagreed with the proposal."

What can I say instead of "plainly saying"?

You can use alternatives like "explicitly stating", "clearly articulating", or "directly conveying" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "plainly saying" or "clearly stating"?

Both "plainly saying" and "clearly stating" are acceptable, but "clearly stating" may be more appropriate for formal contexts, while "plainly saying" is suitable for more informal communication.