I truly think

USAGE SUMMARY

"I truly think" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used as an introductory phrase to express one's honest and genuine opinion on a matter. Example: "I truly think that we should consider all of our options before making a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I truly think it drew us back together.

The New York Times

I truly think that they're the ones to beat.

The Guardian - Film

"I truly think he is one of our great actors.

The Guardian - Film

I truly think Lab, under Gord, is knackered (& I voted Lab last 3 times).

Independent

"I wear my hair this way because I truly think I look adorable with natural hair".

The New York Times

I truly think Irrfan is one of the greatest actors alive.

The New York Times - Arts

I truly think he'll be 100 percent and mentally on top of his game.

The New York Times - Sports

"I truly think there is a better path," Mr. Pataki said.

The New York Times

I pity my Cuban people because I truly think that we have pain in our hearts".

The New York Times

"I truly think that when he gets like that, he believes he can do anything he wants," Fitch said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I truly think the author misses the point of visiting India by recommending overpriced, fancy hotels and driving everywhere by car," wrote Juan from Alberta.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I truly think" to introduce a statement of personal belief, ensuring it aligns with the overall tone and context of your writing. This phrase adds a degree of sincerity and conviction.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "I truly think", as it can make your writing repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "I honestly believe" or "in my opinion" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I truly think" functions as a discourse marker or sentence adverbial. It serves to introduce a statement of personal belief or opinion, signaling to the reader or listener that the speaker is expressing their sincere viewpoint. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase indicates the speaker's subjective perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I truly think" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to introduce a personal belief or opinion with sincerity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, and to a lesser extent in academic writing. While the phrase is acceptable in most situations, being mindful of its potential overuse, substituting it with alternatives like "I honestly believe" or "in my opinion" can enhance writing style. Understanding its function, purpose, and register ensures appropriate usage across diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I truly believe that

Adding "that" creates a more grammatically complete sentence and clarifies the structure.

I really think

Offers a slightly less formal way of expressing a sincere thought.

I honestly believe

Emphasizes sincerity and honesty in the belief.

I sincerely feel

Highlights the genuineness and depth of the feeling or opinion.

I genuinely feel

Emphasizes the authenticity of the feeling.

In my honest opinion

Directly states that the following statement is a personal opinion.

I firmly believe

Indicates a strong and unwavering conviction.

It is my firm belief

A more formal way to express a strong conviction.

I am convinced that

Expresses a state of being fully persuaded or certain.

I am of the opinion

A formal way to introduce a personal viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "I truly think" in a sentence?

You can use "I truly think" to express your honest opinion or belief about something. For example, "I truly think that this plan will succeed if we all work together".

What are some alternatives to "I truly think"?

You can use alternatives like "I honestly believe", "in my honest opinion", or "I sincerely feel" depending on the context.

Is it okay to start a formal essay with "I truly think"?

While grammatically correct, using "I truly think" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using a more formal alternative like "It is my firm belief" or stating your opinion directly without the introductory phrase.

What's the difference between "I truly think" and "I think"?

"I truly think" emphasizes the sincerity and conviction behind your thought, whereas "I think" is a more neutral expression of an opinion. The addition of "truly" adds weight to the statement.