plainly
/ˈpleɪnli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpleɪnli/ (ame, ipa)
plainly — 副詞
1. so clearly that people can notice it or understand it without much doubt.
清楚地；顯然
清楚可見或容易明白
so clearly that people can notice it or understand it without much doubt.
From the back row, we could plainly see mud on Leo's shoes.
從後排看過去，我們可以清楚看到 Leo 鞋上的泥巴。
see + plainly for clear visual evidence
The map plainly shows two roads leading into the village.
地圖清楚標出有兩條路通往那個村子。
plainly shows for visible evidence
Even on the recording, her fear was plainly there in her voice.
就連錄音裡，她聲音中的害怕也聽得很清楚。
After one look at the bills, Dad was plainly worried.
Dad 看了一眼帳單後，顯然很擔心。
After the storm flooded Main Street, driving home was plainly impossible.
暴風雨淹了 Main Street 之後，開車回家顯然不可能。
- clearly
the most general everyday choice
- obviously
stronger and suggests there is almost no doubt
- distinctly
often used when something can be seen or heard separately and sharply
文法句型
see / hear / understand + plainly
plainly + adjective
用法筆記
Common with verbs of seeing, hearing, and showing, and also with adjectives such as 'wrong', 'clear', and 'impossible'. Distinguish from sense 2: here 'plainly' marks evidence that is easy to notice, not blunt or honest wording.
常見錯誤
2. with open, straightforward wording, often when you want to be completely honest.
坦白地；直說
用直接老實的話說
with open, straightforward wording, often when you want to be completely honest.
Plainly, your son needs help, not another punishment.
坦白說，你兒子需要的是幫助，不是再一次處罰。
sentence adverb for blunt honesty
The doctor said plainly that Mia had to stop smoking.
醫生坦白地說，Mia 必須戒菸。
say plainly + that-clause
Rosa told the committee plainly that the budget would not work.
Rosa 直說，這份預算行不通。
Let me speak plainly: your brother is too sick to travel.
我直說吧，你弟弟病得太重，不能旅行。
The coach plainly admitted that the team had played badly.
教練坦白承認，球隊這場打得很差。
- tactfully
with care not to upset someone
- diplomatically
in a careful, indirect way to avoid conflict
文法句型
Plainly, + clause
say / tell / speak + plainly
用法筆記
Often appears before a full statement or after verbs of saying such as 'say', 'tell', 'speak', and 'admit'. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is about the speaker's direct tone, not about how obvious the facts are.
常見錯誤
3. in a simple, unshowy way, without extra decoration or display.
樸素地
不加裝飾，簡單樸實
in a simple, unshowy way, without extra decoration or display.
The cabin was plainly furnished, with two chairs and a narrow bed.
那間小木屋擺設很樸素，只有兩張椅子和一張窄床。
plainly furnished
Nina came plainly dressed in a gray shirt and old jeans.
Nina 穿得很樸素，只穿灰襯衫和舊牛仔褲來。
plainly dressed
The hotel staff served the cake plainly, without flowers or silver plates.
飯店人員把蛋糕簡單端上桌，沒有花飾，也沒有銀盤。
The church walls were plainly painted, so the windows stood out.
教堂的牆面漆得很簡單，所以窗戶特別顯眼。
Our guest room is plainly decorated but warm and comfortable.
我們的客房布置得很樸素，但溫暖又舒服。
- simply
the broad everyday word for a style without extra detail
- modestly
often suggests limited cost or little show
- unpretentiously
more formal and stresses a lack of showiness
- elaborately
with many details or decorative parts
- ornately
with rich decoration
文法句型
plainly dressed / furnished / decorated
plainly + past participle
用法筆記
Most often used with clothes, rooms, furniture, and buildings. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes a simple style, not something that is easy to notice or understand.