was plain dumb

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was plain dumb" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is obviously foolish or lacking in intelligence. Example: "The decision to invest in that failing company was plain dumb."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Whatever your views on the consumption of marijuana or other recreational drugs, this was plain dumb.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sometimes, ambition is plain dumb.

The New York Times - Food

In fact, they are plain dumb.

TechCrunch

"While the lifestyle thing is a good idea, the merchandise angle à la Coke is plain dumb and ignores the lessons of the past: People like Coke beverages, not Coke merchandise.

Forbes

It might feel like the two of you will last forever but if the tattoo has more chances of success in lasting the distance than the pair of you, this is plain dumb.

WikiHow

Soon enough, the fists come: Oozing Wound is plain, taut, dumb thrash metal, which is to say, it's firm, and aggressive, and heavy on logic and structure.

The New York Times - Arts

First, there's plain old dumb luck.

Huffington Post

My view is that popular fiction as it existed was just plain dumb, and literary fiction was either abstruse, or unbelievably boring.

The Guardian - Books

The vice president never allowed that Mr. Bush's comment might have been a slip of the tongue or a poorly worded thought, instead milking the idea that it was just plain dumb -- and that it was further evidence that Mr. Bush is blank on the basics and not equipped to be president.

The New York Times

Among other things, the audit will look at "the authorization and justification for the withdrawal" and, by examining a sample of the withdrawn documents, "the appropriateness of the classification action". Fine, but you don't need to be a classification expert to know that at least some of this reclassification wasn't only inappropriate -- it was just plain dumb.

The Washington Post

That was just plain dumb, and she should have thought before she spoke.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was plain dumb" to express a strong opinion about something you believe is obviously foolish or unintelligent. It is most effective when used in informal contexts or when you want to convey a sense of disapproval or frustration.

Common error

Avoid using "was plain dumb" in formal or professional writing, as it can come across as too casual or disrespectful. Opt for more professional alternatives like "clearly foolish" or "unwise" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "was plain dumb" is that of a predicate adjective. It describes the subject of the sentence, indicating a quality or state of being (foolishness). Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was plain dumb" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey that something was obviously foolish or unintelligent. As per Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. While versatile, it is better suited for informal contexts. Alternatives such as "clearly foolish" or "utterly senseless" may be more appropriate for formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, reflecting its use in expressing opinions and reactions to events. Avoid overusing it in professional settings to maintain a respectful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was clearly foolish

Emphasizes the obviousness of the foolishness, focusing on the lack of wisdom or judgment.

was simply stupid

Directly states the lack of intelligence, using a more informal term.

was utterly senseless

Highlights the lack of reason or logic behind the action or idea.

was patently absurd

Focuses on the ridiculous and unreasonable nature of the action or idea.

was downright idiotic

Emphasizes the extreme foolishness or stupidity of the action or idea.

was remarkably unintelligent

Highlights the notable lack of intelligence, often used in a more formal context.

was incredibly unwise

Focuses on the lack of wisdom and the potential negative consequences.

was exceptionally short-sighted

Highlights the lack of foresight and planning involved.

was purely misguided

Emphasizes that the action or idea was based on faulty reasoning or a misunderstanding.

was frankly moronic

Uses a harsher, more critical term to describe the lack of intelligence.

FAQs

What does "was plain dumb" mean?

The phrase "was plain dumb" means that something was obviously foolish, unintelligent, or lacking in good judgment. It's a direct way of expressing disapproval or disagreement.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "was plain dumb"?

It's appropriate to use "was plain dumb" in informal settings or casual conversations when you want to express a strong opinion about something's foolishness. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

What are some alternatives to "was plain dumb"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly foolish", "simply stupid", or "utterly senseless" to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in tone and formality.

Is "was plain dumb" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was plain dumb" is grammatically correct. "Was" is the past tense of the verb "to be", and "plain dumb" is an adjective phrase describing something as obviously foolish.