Truthfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Truthfully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize honesty or sincerity in your statement. Example: "Truthfully, I didn't expect to win the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've answered a question there as truthfully as I could and that was taken in a certain way and reported in a certain way.

The Guardian - Sport

It stopped short of accusing Ahern of corruption, but said he failed to "truthfully account" for sources of money he lodged in his bank account when he was finance minister in the 1990s.

The Guardian

It said he had failed to "truthfully account" for sums amounting to 250,000 Irish punts received between 1993 and 1995.

The Guardian

"Truthfully, my health has really struggled over the last four years," the 33-year-old wrote in a post on her website.

The Guardian - Sport

This person has thought truthfully about what they're doing at this point and if you can make that work with your cameras, the lighting and all the other hoo-hah that's going on then you're gonna get a great performance.

The Guardian - Film

"Swimming's no problem," I answered, more or less truthfully.

The Guardian

A positive result, although truthfully anything less would have been a disaster against what is probably the worst team in the league.

The Guardian - Sport

The permutations are endless, but if the answer is no, the dilemma remains: do you answer truthfully and risk losing the gig, or assure them of your proficiency and hope for the best?

The Guardian

The only reward is that the winner can then truthfully claim to have written (at least a few words) for The Economist.

The Economist

The question can be answered, and truthfully answered, with abstractions, as it was admirably done by the Prime Minister on Sunday.

The Economist

Of the several hundred people who responded to my poll, less than 10% said they would answer truthfully and admit to gun ownership.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truthfully" to add emphasis to a statement, ensuring the audience perceives your sincerity and directness. It is particularly effective when addressing potentially sensitive or doubtful topics.

Common error

Avoid using "truthfully" excessively in casual conversations, as it may sound overly formal or insincere. Opt for simpler alternatives like "honestly" or "to be honest" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "truthfully" primarily functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the honesty and sincerity of a statement. It indicates that the speaker is being forthright and genuine in their communication. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "truthfully" functions as an adverb to emphasize honesty and sincerity, commonly used in neutral to formal contexts such as news, science, and professional communications. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct, and its main purpose is to persuade the audience of the speaker's credibility. While highly effective in formal settings, it is less common in casual conversations where alternatives like "honestly" or "to be honest" may be more appropriate. Overusing "truthfully" in informal contexts can sound overly formal. Therefore, use "truthfully" judiciously to underscore your sincerity effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In all honesty

Emphasizes complete honesty and candor in a statement.

To be honest

A common phrase used to preface a frank or sincere statement.

Frankly speaking

Highlights a direct and unreserved manner of speaking.

In truth

Emphasizes the factual accuracy of a statement.

To tell the truth

Introduces a statement presented as the honest reality.

Honestly

A straightforward adverb expressing sincerity.

In reality

Focuses on presenting the actual state of affairs.

Genuinely

Indicates sincerity and authenticity in the statement.

Veritably

Emphasizes the truth and accuracy of a statement.

Candidly

Suggests a straightforward and honest manner of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "truthfully" in a sentence?

"Truthfully" is typically used to emphasize the sincerity or accuracy of a statement, as in, "Truthfully, I didn't know the answer."

What are some alternatives to "truthfully"?

You can use alternatives like "honestly", "frankly", or "sincerely" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "truthfully" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "truthfully" when you want to stress the honesty and accuracy of what you are saying, particularly when there may be doubt or skepticism.

Is "truthfully" more formal than "honestly"?

Yes, "truthfully" is generally considered more formal than "honestly". Use "truthfully" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the gravity of your statement.