as plain as can be vs as plain as it can be

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'As plain as can be' is a common idiomatic expression used to emphasize the simplicity or clarity of something. On the other hand, 'as plain as it can be' is also correct but less commonly used. It adds a specific reference to what is plain or simple.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 2130 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the simplicity or clarity of something.

"as plain as can be"

This idiomatic expression is used to emphasize that something is very clear, simple, or easy to understand.

Examples:

The instructions were as plain as can be.
Her intentions were as plain as can be.
The truth is as plain as can be.
The answer is as plain as can be.
The message was as plain as can be.

Show examples from the web [+]

As Plain As Can Be: FERC Order 1000 In Simple Language. Source: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has ...
as plain as can be · as plain as day · as planned · as possible · as precisely as possible · as prescribed · as pretty as a picture · as previously agreed upon
The Narrator's imagination has fully succumbed to the allure of the wallpaper and is now firmly, “as plain as can be”, creating a new reality that will allow her to ...
I'm lonely for her only. See the trouble with me. I can't do nothin' without my baby. And as plain as can be. It's gonna drive me crazy. See the trouble with me

Alternatives:

as clear as can be
as simple as can be
as straightforward as can be
as obvious as can be
as evident as can be

This phrase is correct but less commonly used. It adds a specific reference to what is plain or simple.

"as plain as it can be"

This phrase is used when you want to specify what is plain or simple, adding clarity to the statement.

Examples:

The explanation was as plain as it can be.
The solution is as plain as it can be.
The situation is as plain as it can be.
The reason is as plain as it can be.
The mistake was as plain as it can be.

Show examples from the web [+]

Deutsch-Englisch-Wörterbuch. Deutsch-Englisch-Übersetzung für: as plain as it can be. ä ö ü ß. DE <> EN, DE –> EN, EN –> DE, -----, DE <> EN, -----, DE <> BG ...
It's just as plain as it can be. I'm wild about you, gal. You ought to be a fool about me. Can't explain. The sources of this hidden pain. You burned your way into ...
is as plain as it can be! All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth my two front teeth see my two front teeth! Gee if I could have my two front teeth then I could ...
But my one wish on Christmas Eve is as plain as it can be! All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth! Gee, if I could ...

Alternatives:

as clear as it can be
as simple as it can be
as straightforward as it can be
as obvious as it can be
as evident as it can be

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as plain as can be vs as plain as it can be

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