a honest statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a honest statement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a statement that is truthful and sincere. For example, "The Prime Minister made a honest statement about his plans for the future of the country."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Instead, it seemed like a honest statement of fact: everyone hates the bailouts, but they had to be done.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But we also often make statements that are not literally true — that are in fact literal lies — while conveying a deeper truth that an honest statement of the facts could not communicate.

The New Yorker

A simple touch on the arm paired with an honest statement of "I know this is hard for you and I just want you to know that I'm here when you're ready to talk, or if you need anything".

Huffington Post

There is a lot to be said for starting the budget process with an honest statement of what those at the top see as the market and what performance they think is needed.

Harvard Business Review

How's that for an honest statement that few of us are willing to admit, in a culture that measures success by the car you drive, the square footage of your home, the vacations you brag about, and the balance in your bank account?

Huffington Post

First, this is an honest statement of fact, as Mr. Romney's reaction clearly demonstrated.

The New York Times

That is an honest statement, by Trump's standards or anyone's.

The New Yorker

In context, Mr. Williams's remarks were, I believe, an honest statement of feelings shared by many non-Muslim Americans (not just conservatives).

The New York Times

"We might not even need the two months, folks, to be honest". That is an honest statement, by Trump's standards or anyone's.

The New Yorker

The doctor who administered the test said it was two to three times higher than it needed to be to be an honest statement.

The New York Times - Sports

Queen sings: "Pure love does not fight, it does not hurt you, love that is pure does not cause you to fall", and described the song as "an honest statement of what love is".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider using "an honest statement" instead of "a honest statement". Though "a honest statement" is commonly used, some readers may perceive it as grammatically incorrect. Strive for clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Ensure you use "an" before words beginning with a vowel sound, and "a" before words beginning with a consonant sound. While some accept "a honest statement", the grammatically correct form is "an honest statement" because "honest" begins with a vowel sound. Always aim for precision in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a honest statement" functions as a noun phrase, where "honest" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "statement". While not strictly correct according to standard grammatical rules, it's used to describe the quality of the statement being truthful and sincere, something that Ludwig AI also confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

13%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "a honest statement" is a commonly encountered phrase, it's worth noting that standard English grammar prescribes "an honest statement" due to the vowel sound at the beginning of "honest". The phrase serves to emphasize the truthfulness and sincerity of a declaration. Despite the grammatical debate, its widespread usage across various sources, including news and media, suggests it's generally understood. Alternatives such as "a truthful statement" or "a sincere declaration" can be used for enhanced precision, even though Ludwig AI has acknowledged the usage of both phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a truthful declaration

Replaces "statement" with "declaration", emphasizing the act of declaring something truthfully.

a sincere assertion

Substitutes "honest" with "sincere" and "statement" with "assertion", highlighting genuine belief.

a genuine pronouncement

Replaces "honest" with "genuine" and "statement" with "pronouncement", suggesting authenticity and formality.

a candid remark

Changes "honest" to "candid" and "statement" to "remark", implying openness and frankness.

a frank disclosure

Uses "frank" instead of "honest" and "disclosure" in place of "statement", conveying directness and revelation.

a straightforward account

Replaces "honest" with "straightforward" and "statement" with "account", focusing on clarity and directness.

a veracious representation

Substitutes with "veracious" for "honest" and "representation" for "statement", indicating truthfulness and accuracy.

a plainspoken avowal

Changes "honest" to "plainspoken" and "statement" to "avowal", suggesting simplicity and affirmation.

a credible pronouncement

Replaces "honest" with "credible", shifting the focus to the believability of the statement.

an authentic declaration

Swaps "honest" with "authentic" highlighting the origin and genuineness of the declaration.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a honest statement"?

While commonly used, saying "a honest statement" is often considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "an honest statement" because the word "honest" begins with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "a honest statement" and "an honest statement"?

"A honest statement" deviates from standard English grammar rules, whereas "an honest statement" follows the rule of using "an" before words that start with a vowel sound, providing improved clarity and adhering to grammatical norms.

What are some alternatives to saying "a honest statement"?

You can use phrases like "a truthful statement", "a sincere declaration", or "a genuine remark" to express similar ideas while maintaining grammatical correctness and clarity.

How can I use "a honest statement" in a sentence?

You might say, "He offered a honest statement about his intentions." However, keep in mind that "an honest statement" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing.