plainly visible

USAGE SUMMARY

'plainly visible' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It means that something is easy to see or recognize. For example, "The writing on the side of the building was plainly visible from across the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Podesta's influence is plainly visible at times.

The Washington Post

The studio audience is plainly visible.

The Guardian

Both camps are plainly visible in the Russian satellite pictures.

The New Yorker

But in Tony that insecurity is plainly visible.

The New York Times

The decline is plainly visible across multiple demographic groups.

The Washington Post

My parts are all plainly visible through this ensemble.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet in many ways plainly visible Mayweather can't win.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead of talking about what's hidden, it points to what's plainly visible.

The New Yorker

In September, the transplant had been plainly visible on his CT scan.

The New York Times - Health

From the island's tourist town of Molyvos, the Turkish shore is plainly visible.

Independent

Some of the facilities are so large that they would be plainly visible on satellite photos.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly visible" when you want to emphasize that something is not just visible, but easily and obviously so. This adds a layer of clarity and directness to your writing.

Common error

While "plainly visible" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated synonyms like "readily apparent" or "distinctly observable" to maintain a refined tone.

Linguistic Context

"Plainly visible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its visibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, indicating that something is easily seen or apparent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly visible" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe something that is easily seen or understood. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is to emphasize the obviousness of a particular feature or characteristic. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, you can use it to clearly convey that something is not just visible, but obviously so. If you're seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "clearly discernible" or "readily apparent" depending on the formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly discernible

Emphasizes the ease of distinguishing something from its background or surroundings.

easily seen

Focuses on the lack of difficulty in perceiving something visually.

readily apparent

Highlights that something is immediately obvious or evident.

obviously noticeable

Stresses the conspicuousness and ease of detection.

unmistakably clear

Implies that there is no room for doubt or misinterpretation.

patently obvious

Highlights the undeniable and self-evident nature of something.

distinctly observable

Emphasizes the act of observing something that stands out.

visibly evident

Combines the concepts of visual perception and clear indication.

manifestly apparent

Focuses on the open and undeniable display of something.

unconcealed

Highlights the lack of any attempt to hide or obscure something.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly visible" to describe something that is easily seen or obvious. For example, "The relief on his face was plainly visible after hearing the news."

What's a more formal alternative to "plainly visible"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "readily apparent", "distinctly observable", or "manifestly evident".

Is there a difference between "clearly visible" and "plainly visible"?

While both phrases indicate something is easy to see, "plainly visible" suggests a greater degree of obviousness. "Clearly visible" simply means easy to see, while "plainly visible" implies there's no mistaking it.

Can "plainly visible" be used to describe abstract concepts, or only physical objects?

While often used to describe physical objects, "plainly visible" can also describe abstract concepts when their effects or implications are obvious. For example, "The impact of the policy change was plainly visible in the company's financial reports."