ask honestly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask honestly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting someone to inquire or seek information in a sincere and straightforward manner. Example: "If you have any concerns about the project, please ask honestly so we can address them together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I'll ask honestly and they'll answer honestly.

The Guardian - Sport

We would never ask, honestly, and we're not supposed to know," Stern told the newspaper.

Huffington Post

Answer any questions he/she may ask honestly and politely, but do not volunteer any extra information.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A major weekly news magazine put Mr. Thompson on its cover, asking — honestly!

The New York Times

Answer questions your child asks honestly.

Huffington Post

Honestly ask, and honestly answer: What skills do you have that will help others in a way that will also provide you with the satisfaction of knowing you are part of a solution?

Huffington Post

So, before you ask, yes, honestly, I'm fine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You should also ask yourself honestly what your reasons for running are, he said.

The New York Times

However, we have to ask ourselves honestly whether a reduction of extremist content online would reduce the threat from terrorism so long as catastrophic conditions persist in places such as Syria, Iraq and Libya.

The Guardian - Opinion

In an impassioned op-ed piece recently, David Grossman, one of Israel's best novelists, wrote: "The time has come when all Israelis must ask themselves honestly whether they are prepared to die for the sake of tens of thousands of settlers who live in isolated, armed enclaves in the heart of an Arab population.

The New York Times

"We all need to ask ourselves, honestly, if there is something to add beyond the oft-repeated mantra that we all know what the solution is, and consider other ideas, such as the role Jordan might have to play, the precise future relationship between Israel and Palestine, whether of a confederal or other nature, or the final dispensation for Jerusalem," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want someone to answer a difficult question with complete transparency, use "ask honestly" to set the tone for open communication.

Common error

Don't assume people will automatically be honest. Using "ask honestly" explicitly requests sincerity, which can make others more mindful of their response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask honestly" functions as an imperative, directing someone to inquire or question with sincerity and truthfulness. Ludwig AI indicates that it's usable in written English to set a tone for open communication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask honestly" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that is used to emphasize the need for a sincere and truthful answer. As Ludwig AI states, it serves to encourage open communication. While not extremely frequent, it appears across a range of contexts, primarily in news, media, and general advice articles. Related phrases include "inquire with sincerity" and "request a candid response". Remember to use "ask honestly" when you want to set a clear expectation of truthfulness and transparency in a conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inquire with sincerity

Replaces "ask" with a more formal verb, while "with sincerity" emphasizes the need for truthfulness.

request a candid response

"Candid" implies straightforward and truthful, maintaining the core meaning.

seek an honest opinion

Focuses on obtaining a truthful viewpoint or assessment.

invite honest feedback

Emphasis on feedback

solicit truthful feedback

Emphasizes obtaining honest feedback, particularly in a professional setting.

ask for a straight answer

Focuses on receiving a direct and unambiguous response.

ask in good faith

Focuses on the intention behind the question.

expect an honest answer

Highlights the expectation of a truthful response.

to be honest, ask yourself

Emphasis on honesty before asking

seriously, ask yourself

Highlights the importance of honesty when asking a question to yourself.

FAQs

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

You can use "ask honestly" to emphasize the need for a sincere response, like in the sentence "If you have any concerns, please "ask honestly" so we can address them."

What are some alternatives to "ask honestly"?

You can use alternatives such as "inquire with sincerity", "seek an honest opinion", or "request a candid response" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "ask honestly"?

While asking inherently implies seeking a truthful answer, using ""ask honestly"" reinforces the importance of sincerity, particularly in sensitive situations.

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

"Ask honestly" emphasizes the manner of asking, while "honestly ask" focuses on the sincerity of the questioner. The first focuses on the answer you want, the second, on the action of posing the question.