ask candidly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask candidly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to encourage someone to ask questions or express their thoughts openly and honestly. Example: "I encourage you to ask candidly about any concerns you may have regarding the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

After some mutual disparagement of the markets, the rumors and the pressure on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Mr. Fuld asked candidly: "Can't we try to do something together?" It was a bold question and Mr. Mack had suspected it was the reason for the call.

The New York Times

Ask yourself candidly, what did you think of Facebook the first time you landed on its homepage?

TechCrunch

"You don't blaze, man?" I ask him candidly.

Vice

Just ask Roberts, who spoke candidly about his consideration of retirement and his fears that he might never resume a normal lifestyle — even away from the field.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, you have these extreme incidents that are out there," he said, "and, candidly, you ask yourself, What on earth were they thinking when they posted that?" Most social media policies try to balance a police department's interests against First Amendment protections for the officers.

The New York Times

Clutching leaves of paper with their questions written on them, the students stood up, one after another, and candidly asked the things that their young minds wondered about.

The New York Times

One of my investors candidly asked me recently, "Shelly, if I have an opportunity to invest with people I've just met, how do I avoid getting screwed over?" This is a good question; for most investors interested in startups, co-investing is the de facto way to invest.

TechCrunch

The day before the experiment, I candidly asked my doctor what he thought would happen.

Vice

At one point, I candidly asked Snooki about her personal bronzer philosophy.

Huffington Post

The girl next to me was smoking a Parliament and I asked her very candidly if she might have one she could spare.

Vice

I asked them quite candidly, "Could you come on as executive producers to help to get the money?" As I said to them, "Your attachment to this would help get it done".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogues in a story, ask characters to "ask candidly" to make the conversations sound more realistic.

Common error

While "ask candidly" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing the adverb "candidly" in your writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "honestly" or "openly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask candidly" functions as a verb-adverb combination, modifying the action of asking with the manner of being candid. It describes how the question is posed, implying a desire for an honest and straightforward answer. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask candidly" is a grammatically correct way to emphasize the desire for a direct and honest response when posing a question. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its frequency is currently low, suggesting it's not the most common way to phrase a request for openness. Alternative phrases like "inquire openly" or "ask honestly" might be considered depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use it when you want to show that you are looking for unvarnished answers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inquire openly

Focuses on the openness of the inquiry, rather than necessarily the honesty.

ask honestly

Emphasizes the honesty of the question, without necessarily implying directness.

pose a frank question

Highlights the directness and potential bluntness of the question.

request openly

Shifts the focus to a request, implying less direct questioning.

query directly

Emphasizes the directness of the inquiry, more so than honesty.

seek an honest answer

Focuses on the desired response rather than the act of asking.

enquire straightforwardly

Highlights a clear and uncomplicated way of asking.

invite open questions

Shifts from asking oneself to encouraging others to ask.

solicit frank opinions

Focuses on obtaining opinions, implying a broader scope than a specific question.

prompt candid responses

Focuses on encouraging candid responses from others, rather than the act of asking.

FAQs

How can I use "ask candidly" in a sentence?

You can use "ask candidly" to describe the manner in which someone is questioning. For example: "I encourage you to "ask candidly" about any concerns you may have regarding the project."

What's a more formal way to say "ask candidly"?

A more formal alternative to "ask candidly" would be "inquire openly" or "enquire straightforwardly".

Is it redundant to say "ask candidly"?

While asking implies seeking an honest answer, "ask candidly" emphasizes the expectation of openness and sincerity in the response, thus adding a layer of meaning.

What does it mean to speak candidly?

To speak candidly means to speak honestly and frankly, without holding back or trying to be diplomatic. It suggests a willingness to share one's true thoughts and feelings.