plainly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly true" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express something that is obviously true, or very obviously true. For example: "It is plainly true that a healthy diet and regular exercise are important for good physical health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In some places that is plainly true.

The Economist

Against the tide ReprintsHis general point is plainly true all over the world.

The Economist

But the trouble is, food-safety debates rarely involve assertions that are plainly true or false.

The New York Times

But sometimes it's also plainly true that the anguish sparks the work.

The New Yorker

This omission is often cited as a victory for the pro-life movement, and in some cases that's plainly true.

The New York Times

It is plainly true, for example, that Britain should anathemise egregious practices such as forced marriage or "honour killing".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Which is plainly not true.

The Guardian

It is plainly not true now.

The Guardian

The same plainly holds true of Boston Bob, and the Irish did at least contrive two winners on the day.

Independent

Mr. Young said it was plainly not true that Britain was more hamstrung by class than any other Western country, but he acknowledged that the British quickly fell back on class stereotypes.

The New York Times

His opponents imply his plans would increase taxes on middle-class workers, but this is plainly not true.For his part, Mr McCain would keep in place all Mr Bush's tax cuts on wages, capital gains and dividends, while boosting the exemption for dependants from $3,500 to $7,000.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly true" to assert an obvious fact or self-evident truth, adding emphasis and clarity to your statement. It works well in both formal and informal contexts where you want to underscore the undeniable nature of something.

Common error

While "plainly true" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. More sophisticated vocabulary can enhance the tone and credibility of your writing, especially in academic or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly true" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with an adjective. It emphasizes the self-evident nature of a statement. It indicates that something is obviously and undeniably the case. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plainly true" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to assert something as an obvious and undeniable fact. According to Ludwig, it is correct for use in written English. It is commonly found in news and media contexts to emphasize the self-evident nature of statements. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in more formal settings where more sophisticated vocabulary may be preferable. Alternatives include "obviously true" and "clearly true".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously true

Focuses on the obviousness of the truth.

clearly true

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity of the truth.

undeniably true

Highlights that the truth cannot be denied or disputed.

patently true

Suggests the truth is evident and easily perceived.

evidently true

Indicates the truth is apparent from the evidence.

unquestionably true

Stresses that the truth is beyond any doubt.

indisputably true

Similar to undeniably true, but may imply more formal argument.

unmistakably true

Highlights that the truth is clear and cannot be mistaken.

unarguably true

Emphasizes the lack of valid arguments against the truth.

self-evidently true

Suggests the truth is obvious without needing proof.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly true" to emphasize that something is obviously correct or factual. For example, "It is "plainly true" that exercise is beneficial for your health".

What are some alternatives to "plainly true"?

Alternatives include "obviously true", "clearly true", or "undeniably true", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "plainly true" or "simply true"?

"Plainly true" suggests something is evidently and obviously true, while "simply true" suggests something is true without being complicated. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize obviousness or simplicity. For example "That statement is "simply true"".

When is it best to use "plainly true" in writing?

Use "plainly true" when you want to assert a point that is self-evident and requires no further explanation or justification, especially when addressing potential skepticism or disagreement.