straightforwardness
straightforwardness — adjective
1. describing a person who says what they really think or feel, without hiding the
describing a person who says what they really think or feel, without hiding the truth or trying to be tricky
Hana was straightforward with her boss about wanting a different role in the company.
collocation: straightforward with [someone]
The mechanic gave a straightforward answer about the repairs the old car needed.
collocation: straightforward answer
When Mei asked her aunt whether the dessert was good, her aunt said straightforwardly the cake needed more sugar.
When a customer complained about the price, the shop owner gave a straightforward reply: the cost covered hand-made materials.
Pedro was straightforward about the mistake he made on the project report.
用法筆記
Often used with 'with' (straightforward with someone) or 'about' (straightforward about something).
2. easy to understand because the instructions, explanation, or question is present
easy to understand because the instructions, explanation, or question is presented in a clear and simple way with no confusion
The recipe was straightforward enough for a beginner to follow without help.
pattern: straightforward enough [for someone] to [verb]
Lin asked a straightforward question about the bus timetable, and the driver answered at once.
collocation: straightforward question
Grace worried that the wardrobe instructions would be confusing, but each step was straightforward and had a clear diagram.
Dr. Okonkwo gave straightforward directions for the chemistry experiment, listing each step on the board in the correct order.
An online form with straightforward steps makes it easy to apply for a visa.
- simple
more common and general; suggests few parts or steps
- clear
suggests no ambiguity; easy to grasp
- uncomplicated
more formal; suggests nothing makes it harder than needed
- complicated
has many parts that are hard to understand
- confusing
hard to follow because it is not clear
用法筆記
This sense applies to information, not to people. Compare with sense 1 (HONEST AND DIRECT), which applies to a person's manner.
常見錯誤
3. not requiring much effort or skill to complete; simple to carry out
not requiring much effort or skill to complete; simple to carry out
Changing the light bulb in the hallway is a straightforward job that takes five minutes.
collocation: straightforward job / task
Sakura filled in the registration form in ten minutes because it asked for only three pieces of personal information.
explicit reason for straightforwardness: few required details
Repairing a bicycle puncture is straightforward: the patch kit includes clear picture instructions that anyone can follow.
The exam was straightforward because most questions tested basic knowledge.
Chidi showed his younger brother how to make rice, a straightforward dish with only three ingredients.
- easy
more common and informal; the most general word for 'not difficult'
- simple
emphasises few steps or parts
- effortless
suggests something takes almost no physical or mental work
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (CLEAR AND PRECISE): sense 2 describes how clearly information is presented or explained, whereas sense 3 describes how little effort a task requires to carry out.
4. moving or pointing in a single direction without turning, bending, or changing c
moving or pointing in a single direction without turning, bending, or changing course
The hiking trail was straightforward for the first two kilometres before it began to curve.
literal sense: physical direction
Kwame followed the straightforward path along the canal all the way to the lake.
The road cut a straightforward line across the flat desert for forty kilometres without a single curve or turn.
The river takes a straightforward route from the mountain down to the valley.
用法筆記
This is a rare, literal sense mostly used for physical paths, routes, or lines. It does not apply to people or tasks.
straightforwardness — adverb
1. in a way that is honest and open, without trying to hide information or avoid th
in a way that is honest and open, without trying to hide information or avoid the main topic
Tariq spoke straightforwardly about his plans to leave the company next year.
adverb: modifies speech/communication verbs
Chen Wei asked straightforwardly whether the hotel room would be ready by noon.
The doctor told the patient straightforwardly that more tests were needed.
Valentina answered each question straightforwardly, without trying to change the subject.
Yumi stated straightforwardly that she did not agree with the committee's decision.
- evasively
in a way that avoids giving a clear answer
- indirectly
hinting rather than saying plainly
用法筆記
Typically modifies verbs of speaking such as 'talk', 'speak', 'ask', 'tell', 'state', or 'answer'.
straightforwardness — noun
1. the quality of being simple and not difficult to understand, use, or complete
the quality of being simple and not difficult to understand, use, or complete
The straightforwardness of the new software made it popular among older users.
collocation: straightforwardness of [something]
Shoppers at GreenLeaf Market appreciated the straightforwardness of the refund policy, which allowed returns within sixty days without a receipt.
straightforwardness of [policy/process]
The straightforwardness of the recipe meant that even beginners could make the cake.
Teachers liked the textbook for its straightforwardness: each chapter covered one topic clearly.
- simplicity
more common; the state of having few parts and being easy to grasp
- clarity
the quality of being easy to see or understand; focuses on lack of confusion
- complexity
having many parts that are hard to understand
- difficulty
the state of being hard to do or understand
用法筆記
This noun sense is uncountable. It applies to processes, tools, information, and tasks.
2. the quality of being honest and direct in what you say and do, without pretendin
the quality of being honest and direct in what you say and do, without pretending or hiding the truth
The manager valued straightforwardness and told her team to speak their minds freely.
collocation: value / appreciate straightforwardness
Hana's straightforwardness sometimes surprised people who were used to polite hints.
When Tomoko told her host family directly that she disliked the fish, her host mother seemed hurt by her straightforwardness.
Diego appreciated his sister's straightforwardness when she told him the jacket did not suit him.
The candidate's straightforwardness during the interview impressed the hiring panel.
- dishonesty
lack of truthfulness
- deception
stronger; deliberate misleading of others
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. Frequently follows verbs like 'appreciate', 'value', 'admire', or 'respect'.