plainly stated that

USAGE SUMMARY

"plainly stated that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something has been clearly and simply expressed. For example: The professor plainly stated that he would not change the due date for the assignment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

In his speech tonight, General Musharraf plainly stated that the Kashmir cause could not justify the use of terrorism.

The New York Times

"It was plainly stated that if you want to get anywhere in this place, this is how it is".

The New York Times

Kotteakos plainly stated that unless an error is merely "technical," the burden of sustaining a verdict by demonstrating that the error was harmless rests on the prosecution.

Cornell University

The cop had written down that the car was a gold Toyota, whereas the vehicle registration plainly stated that it was gray.

The New York Times

And indeed since a key speech by Crown Prince Abdullah in 1998, in which he plainly stated that the oil boom was over, economic reform has gathered pace.

The Economist

The candidate plainly stated that "those who do not believe in our constitution, or who support bigotry and hatred, will not be admitted for immigration into the country".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

She plainly states that it is not sharia law she is fighting; she simply wants to receive justice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Crowley plainly states that these two groups, the business leaders and the General Staff, were full partners of the Nazis after the latter seized power in 1933.

Cornell University

Also, history plainly states that Nixon was born in 1913, one of several siblings, whereas the president was born in 1946, one of 3,000 eggs.

The Washington Post

Yet far from denying that loss of biodiversity and other environmental threats are occurring, Lomborg plainly states that these are indeed serious problems.

Nature

Bill O'Reilly went so far as to plainly state that the football players were not "smart enough to know what they're doing".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly stated that" to introduce a clear and direct statement of fact or opinion, especially when emphasizing the lack of ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "plainly stated that" excessively in academic or formal writing. While it's acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by employing synonyms like "clearly indicated that" or "explicitly mentioned that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly stated that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a direct or indirect quotation. It indicates that someone has expressed something in a clear and unambiguous manner, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly stated that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a clear and unambiguous statement. As Ludwig AI indicated, its structure follows standard grammar rules and is acceptable in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, but also appears in academic and scientific writing. While useful for emphasizing clarity, overuse should be avoided, and alternative phrases considered. When clarity is important, "plainly stated that" provides a straightforward way to introduce what was explicitly said.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly expressed that

Highlights the clarity with which the information was conveyed, focusing on the manner of expression.

clearly indicated that

This alternative focuses on the act of indicating something clearly, rather than directly stating it.

directly conveyed that

Focuses on the directness of the communication, implying a lack of ambiguity.

simply put that

Focuses on the simplicity and conciseness of the statement.

explicitly mentioned that

Emphasizes the explicitness of the mention, suggesting a high level of detail.

openly acknowledged that

Highlights the public nature of the acknowledgement, suggesting transparency.

unequivocally asserted that

Indicates a firm and resolute declaration, stronger than a simple statement.

unambiguously affirmed that

Highlights that the affirmation was done in a way that leaves no room for doubt or misinterpretation.

forthrightly declared that

Suggests a bold and open declaration, often in the face of potential opposition.

candidly admitted that

Implies honesty and openness in the admission, often about something potentially sensitive.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "plainly stated that" to sound more formal?

For more formal alternatives to "plainly stated that", consider using phrases like "explicitly mentioned that", "clearly indicated that", or "unequivocally asserted that". These options convey a similar meaning but with a heightened sense of formality.

Is there a difference between "plainly stated that" and "simply stated that"?

While both phrases indicate a clear statement, "plainly stated that" emphasizes the lack of ambiguity and straightforwardness, whereas "simply stated that" highlights the conciseness and lack of complexity. Choose the phrase that best reflects the specific characteristic you wish to emphasize.

Can I use "plainly stated that" in academic writing?

Yes, "plainly stated that" is acceptable in academic writing, especially when you need to emphasize the clarity and directness of a particular statement or finding. However, be mindful of overuse and consider varying your phrasing with alternatives like "clearly indicated that" or "explicitly mentioned that" to avoid sounding repetitive.

What are some less formal alternatives to "plainly stated that"?

For less formal contexts, you could use phrases like "simply put that" or "directly conveyed that". These options maintain the sense of clarity but in a more relaxed tone.