plainly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is clear and easy to comprehend. Example: "The instructions were plainly understood by all the participants, ensuring a smooth execution of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Three men with ladders, brooms, and stones were trying to capture the frightened creature, which plainly understood that it was soon to be eaten for Sunday dinner.

The New Yorker

The court plainly understood that its decision changed the meaning of clear statutory provisions in a manner that could affect the outcome of the election (and will, presumably, apply to future elections).

The New York Times

The Tiger also plainly understood that in all the struggles he had known since his golf, and his life, unravelled so spectacularly in 2009, he might not have had a better chance to return to the title-winning facility that threatened to be so unprecedented.

Independent

They plainly understood the intense desire for headway in Ms. Nguyen's case, given that it was the first anthrax infection in New York not connected to the news media, a fact that has stoked concern that the public may be at risk.

The New York Times

But Jobs undermines Mankiw's argument: First, Jobs plainly understood the role of his associates, in the corporate suite and throughout Apple, in developing those products, bringing them to market and selling them.

Los Angeles Times

In fiction it means generally apolitical, domesticated narrative that remains willfully ignorant of modernism (the highbrow style doesn't work with the guild's self-presentation), leaning strongly toward the confessional, memoiristic, autobiographical, narcissistic, and plainly understood.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The president and his people now plainly understand the cost of getting it wrong.

The New York Times

In plenty of other functioning democracies, in fact, politicians and voters plainly understand that the party that wins a parliamentary election does not necessarily get to form the government (and that even if it does, it could perfectly well be a minority administration relying when necessary on the conditional support of a range of smaller parties).

The Guardian

But if a person does not fulfill the love of God in this world, the soul becomes despondent at his or her rebellion against God in the corporeal world, an error that it plainly understands after the death of the body.

SEP

The West has plainly failed to understand such movements and the reasons for their popularity.

The Economist

But what Firth plainly doesn't understand is his "fundamentally stupid" exhibition is nothing of the sort; there are numerous Australian artists who have staged exhibitions of text works, in painting, drawing, and sculpture.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly understood" to emphasize that something is not just understood, but easily and clearly so. It adds a nuance of simplicity and obviousness to the understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "plainly understood" when describing understanding of complex or nuanced subjects. It is best suited for situations where the understanding is straightforward and not open to interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly understood" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the quality of being easily and clearly comprehended. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe concepts, instructions, or situations that are not ambiguous.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plainly understood" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies something is easily and clearly comprehended. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts. While alternatives such as "easily understood" or "clearly understood" exist, "plainly understood" adds a nuance of simplicity. When writing, it’s best to reserve this phrase for situations where the understanding is straightforward and not open to significant interpretation. High-authority sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian use the phrase, reinforcing its reliability and appropriateness in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily understood

Focuses on the ease with which something can be grasped.

clearly understood

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the understanding.

readily understood

Highlights the immediacy and lack of effort required for comprehension.

fully grasped

Indicates a complete and thorough understanding.

well understood

Implies a common or general understanding.

universally accepted

Suggests a broad agreement or consensus on a particular idea.

generally known

Indicates that something is common knowledge.

widely recognized

Emphasizes the broad recognition or acknowledgement of something.

patently obvious

Stresses the obviousness and undeniable nature of something.

self-evident

Highlights that something is obvious without needing explanation or proof.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly understood" to indicate that something is easily and clearly comprehended. For example, "The instructions were "plainly understood" by all participants."

What are some alternatives to "plainly understood"?

Alternatives include "easily understood", "clearly understood", or "readily understood", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "plainly understood" formal or informal?

"Plainly understood" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may be slightly more common in formal writing due to its precise nature.

What's the difference between "plainly understood" and "well understood"?

"Plainly understood" emphasizes the ease and clarity of understanding, while "well understood" implies that something is generally or commonly known and accepted.