Frankly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Frankly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that expresses honesty or straightforwardness, often about a sensitive or controversial topic. Example: "Frankly, I don't think this plan will work as intended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But when equally unacceptable views or practices have come from someone who isn't white, we've been too cautious, frankly even fearful, to stand up to them".

The New York Times

But frankly I am a marriage man, I am a great supporter of marriage.

The Guardian

"When I heard this, frankly, I choked on my porridge and I thought it must be April Fools' day," Cameron said.

The Guardian

We decided we're going to reduce our reliance on categories that quite frankly take up a lot of space and don't take a lot of money," Clarke said.

The Guardian - Business

"We look to Australia and other partners that we'll have the opportunity to meet with at the G20 to fulfil the commitments they've made and do more, quite frankly," Rice told the Australian Financial Review in comments published on Monday.

The Guardian

The following day he totally blew a gasket, saying that Ed Balls' description of Liam Byrne's "there's no money left" note as a joke was "frankly the most appalling thing I have heard in this election campaign so far".

The Guardian

Karl Oyston did finally return her calls on Friday to tell her it was for security reasons, but the police have made sure everyone knows it is nothing to do with them and the idea is frankly ludicrous.

The Guardian - Sport

"Quite frankly, being Ukip, we had absolutely nothing like [the information in the envelope] at all," said Rose. "We just scatter-gunned it and did the best we could.

The Guardian

"Field has spoken fully and frankly about the Tutill murder when confronted with the hard facts of the DNA evidence," said Supt Treble.

The Guardian

"I frankly think that her time has passed, and I think there are much better candidates out there with a lot more substance, a lot more ability and a lot more drive," he said.

The Guardian

Frankly, although it would be better if he did, it's easy to see why he didn't.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context, as "Frankly" can sometimes sound blunt or confrontational. Choose a softer alternative like "To be honest" if needed.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "Frankly", as it can make your writing sound repetitive and aggressive. Vary your sentence structure with alternative phrases like "honestly" or "to be honest".

Linguistic Context

The word "Frankly" functions primarily as an adverb. It modifies a sentence or clause, expressing the speaker's or writer's intention to be direct and honest. As noted by Ludwig AI, it introduces a statement of truth or opinion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Opinion

10%

Lifestyle

6%

Less common in

Sport

4%

Books

4%

Tech

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Frankly" is a commonly used adverb to introduce direct and honest statements. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in News & Media, Opinion, and Lifestyle contexts. While it is generally acceptable, users should be mindful of overuse and consider softer alternatives like "to be honest" or "honestly" in certain situations to avoid sounding overly blunt. Its directness makes it useful for conveying clear opinions, but it's essential to balance honesty with tact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Honestly

A direct synonym, interchangeable in many contexts but can sometimes sound milder.

Quite frankly

Adds emphasis to the frankness of the statement, making it stronger than just "Frankly".

To be honest

Expresses a similar sentiment but often softens the statement more than "Frankly".

In all honesty

Emphasizes sincerity and truthfulness more strongly than "Frankly".

Truthfully

Directly conveys that what follows is the truth, often used in more formal contexts.

To tell you the truth

A more conversational way of introducing an honest statement.

Candidly

Suggests a straightforward and unreserved manner, potentially more formal.

In my honest opinion

Explicitly states that the following is a personal opinion.

As a matter of fact

Introduces a statement as a confirmed truth, similar to emphasizing honesty.

To put it bluntly

Indicates a direct and potentially harsh statement.

FAQs

How can I use "Frankly" in a sentence?

"Frankly" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce an honest or direct statement. For example, "Frankly, I don't agree with your assessment."

What's the difference between "Frankly" and "honestly"?

While both convey sincerity, "Frankly" can sometimes come across as more assertive or blunt than "honestly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone.

What are some alternatives to using "Frankly"?

Alternatives include "to be honest", "truthfully", "candidly", and "in all honesty". Choose the one that best fits the tone and formality of your writing.

Is it always appropriate to use "Frankly" in formal writing?

While "Frankly" is generally acceptable, consider your audience. In very formal or sensitive contexts, a more nuanced phrase like "to be candid" or "in all honesty" may be more suitable.