to put it plainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to put it plainly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where you want to make sure that your readers understand your point clearly. For example: To put it plainly, the new law would make it impossible for us to operate our business in this state.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its conclusion might not surprise you: financiers, to put it plainly, were overpaid.

The New York Times

"To put it plainly," Pope says, "T.

The New York Times

To put it plainly, Eastwood seems embarrassed.

The New Yorker

To put it plainly, we owe them our lives.

The New Yorker

Facebook is, to put it plainly, a huge, established company.

The New Yorker

To put it plainly, the story was gross.

The Guardian - Film

To put it plainly: I truly believe we need new tools to counter old threats.

The Guardian - Opinion

And he does starry black-tie galas (to put it plainly, fund-raisers) too.

The New York Times

Just over two years ago, I was – to put it plainly – shitting myself.

The Guardian - Books

To put it plainly: when you know you aren't a cheat, it's a ballache.

The Guardian - Sport

"To put it plainly, the construction was shoddy," Mr. Bentley said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to put it plainly", be mindful of your audience and the context. While directness is valuable, it's essential to maintain professionalism and avoid being unnecessarily harsh.

Common error

Avoid using "to put it plainly" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or condescending. Use it sparingly to highlight key points that require absolute clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to put it plainly" functions as a discourse marker or sentence adverbial. It serves to signal to the reader or listener that the speaker is about to express something in a direct, uncomplicated manner. As Ludwig AI shows, this is common in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to put it plainly" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a direct and uncomplicated explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While directness is its strength, remember to use it judiciously to maintain a professional tone. Alternatives like "simply put" or "in plain language" can be used to achieve similar clarity with slight variations in emphasis. Finally, this phrase helps the writer ensure the reader understands the message being conveyed, which is its primary function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to put it simply

Identical in meaning, but with a slight variation in word order.

in plain language

Focuses on clarity and avoiding jargon.

simply put

Highlights the simplicity of the statement.

in layman's terms

Specifically aims to explain something to a non-expert audience.

in simpler terms

Focuses on simplifying the explanation, not necessarily being blunt.

to be blunt

Emphasizes directness, potentially at the expense of politeness.

to be clear

Introduces a clarification of a previous statement.

in other words

Rephrases the preceding statement for clarity.

to put it another way

Offers an alternative formulation of the same idea.

in short

Provides a concise summary of what has been said.

FAQs

How can I use "to put it plainly" in a sentence?

Use "to put it plainly" to introduce a clear and direct explanation, such as, "To put it plainly, the project failed because of poor planning".

What are some alternatives to "to put it plainly"?

You can use alternatives like "simply put", "in plain language", or "to be blunt" depending on the context.

Is "to put it plainly" formal or informal?

"To put it plainly" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings where directness is valued.

When is it appropriate to use "to put it plainly"?

It's appropriate to use "to put it plainly" when you need to make a point unequivocally clear, especially when simplifying a complex issue or delivering potentially unwelcome news.