plainly speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"plainly speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a point or to make your opinion clear. For example: "Plainly speaking, the decision was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Since the Dawn of Recorded Time, Plainly Speaking Since the dawn of recorded time, plainly speaking, You are born, and then you die.

The New York Times

Plainly speaking, it refused to die.

The New York Times - Magazine

Plainly speaking, this is known as rubbing it in, making bad things worse.

The New York Times

Plainly speaking, more than one-tenth of the jobs in Belgium are tied to the Brussels economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Plainly speaking, one sings, the other reads, and bothering to explain would not be in the best interests of a ghoulish show that brings in the noise but leaves out the soul.

The New York Times

Plainly speaking, it's about the relationship between a mother and her daughter, and Quintero, pinned to sug gesting the play's theme, says its idea is that "any human being, within the framework of his virtues and limitations, has a right to a life". Off Broadway, where the director has scored some of his major successes, will get "Ten Cents a Dance" as soon as a theater is available.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

She plainly spoke up.

The New York Times

Plainly spoken, it's a train of rain on its way to Washington State.

The Washington Post

And the best small sign of all is always when we hear the plain truth about a public issue being plainly spoken.

The New Yorker

"To me," he said, "that says that at the end of a long, secretive process, the archbishop is still not willing to plainly speak the truth.

The New York Times

A good place to start reminding people who you are is with simple facts, plainly spoken.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plainly speaking", ensure the subsequent statement is indeed clear and easily understood. Avoid using jargon or complex language immediately after.

Common error

While "plainly speaking" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly speaking" functions as a discourse marker or sentence adverbial. As Ludwig AI indicates, it introduces a statement that is meant to be direct, clear, and unambiguous, often signaling a straightforward or potentially blunt opinion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly speaking" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to introduce a direct and unambiguous statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a suitable phrase for emphasizing a point and ensuring clarity. While most common in news and media contexts, it should be used with caution in highly formal writing where more sophisticated alternatives may be preferred. Remember to ensure the subsequent statement is indeed clear and easily understood. Alternatives such as "frankly speaking" or "to be blunt" can be considered depending on the context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

candidly speaking

Emphasizes honesty and directness in the statement.

clearly speaking

Highlights the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the statement.

frankly speaking

Indicates a sincere and possibly blunt expression of opinion.

to be blunt

Signals an intention to be direct, potentially at the expense of politeness.

in simple terms

Focuses on simplifying a complex issue for easier understanding.

in other words

Offers a restatement of something already said, but in a more accessible way.

to put it simply

Similar to "in simple terms", but with a slightly more casual tone.

to be precise

Highlights exactness and accuracy in the following statement.

in essence

Indicates a summary of the most important aspects of a topic.

essentially

Similar to "in essence", focusing on the fundamental nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly speaking" to introduce a direct or unambiguous statement. For example, "Plainly speaking, the project failed due to poor planning."

What are some alternatives to "plainly speaking"?

Alternatives include "frankly speaking", "clearly speaking", or "to be blunt", depending on the desired tone and level of formality.

Is "plainly speaking" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "plainly speaking" may be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "in essence" or "essentially" for a more professional tone.

What does "plainly speaking" emphasize in a statement?

Using "plainly speaking" emphasizes the directness and lack of ambiguity in the statement. It signals that you are expressing your opinion without reservation.