simple to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simple to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is easy to do or understand. Example: "The instructions were simple to follow, making the process much easier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's simple to unlock.

The New York Times

Was it simple to use?

The New York Times

PixyMe is simple to use.

The New York Times

"It's simple to understand.

The Guardian - Sport

Simple, to the point.

The Guardian - Music

Simple to understand, and easy to explain.

The New York Times

Unlike LCDs, OLEDs are simple to make.

The Economist

Nor are they always simple to use.

The Economist

Simplicity marketing is, well, simple to find.

The New York Times

It sounds simple to polished receivers.

The New York Times - Sports

"Simple, to me, is best," he says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simple to" when you want to emphasize the ease or lack of complexity associated with an action, process, or understanding. For example, "The instructions were simple to follow."

Common error

Avoid overusing "simple to" in academic or professional writing where a more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Consider alternatives such as "straightforward" or "uncomplicated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simple to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a verb or noun to indicate ease or lack of complexity. Ludwig examples show its use in describing processes, instructions, and objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

17%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "simple to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey ease or lack of complexity. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its applications range from describing user-friendly tools and clear instructions to easily understood concepts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with additional presence in science, wiki, formal business, and encyclopedia contexts. The sources consulted indicate that "simple to" is a clear and straightforward way to communicate accessibility, though more formal alternatives may be appropriate for certain academic or professional settings. Overall, using "simple to" is an effective way to assure your audience of the ease with which they can approach a subject, task, or item.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy to

Replaces "simple" with its direct synonym, emphasizing lack of difficulty.

straightforward to

Highlights the lack of complexity or ambiguity.

uncomplicated to

Focuses on the absence of complex elements.

effortless to

Implies minimal effort is required.

a breeze to

An informal way to say something is very easy.

painless to

Emphasizes the lack of unpleasantness or trouble.

clear to

Highlights the ease of understanding.

basic to

Indicates fundamental or elementary level of difficulty.

accessible to

Focuses on the availability and ease of use or understanding.

manageable to

Suggests something is easy to control or handle.

FAQs

What does "simple to" mean?

"Simple to" means easy to do, understand, or use. It indicates a lack of complexity or difficulty.

What can I say instead of "simple to"?

You can use alternatives like "easy to", "straightforward to", or "uncomplicated to" depending on the context.

How can I use "simple to" in a sentence?

You can use "simple to" to describe something that is not difficult. For example, "The process is simple to understand" or "The tool is simple to use".

Which is correct, "simple to use" or "simply to use"?

"Simple to use" is the correct phrasing when describing something that is easy to use. "Simply to use" doesn't convey the same meaning and is grammatically awkward.