be honest about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be honest about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to express their true feelings or opinions regarding a specific topic or situation. Example: "I appreciate your willingness to be honest about your concerns during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Be honest about yourself.

The New York Times

Be honest about your score.

The New York Times

Be honest about it," he said.

The New York Times

I can be honest about it.

The New York Times - Sports

And be honest about your own abilities.

The New York Times - Travel

Let's be honest about this.

The Guardian

Let's be honest about that.

The Guardian - Sport

Be honest about your weaknesses.

The New York Times - Magazine

Let's be honest about crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm going to be honest about it.

The Guardian

"We've got to be honest about ourselves.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking for someone's opinion, use "be honest about" to encourage them to share their true feelings, even if they are difficult to hear.

Common error

While honesty is generally valued, remember that "be honest about" does not automatically solve problems or lead to desired results. Consider the potential impact of your honesty and choose your words carefully to ensure clarity and consideration for others' feelings. Tact and empathy are crucial when delivering honest feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be honest about" functions as an imperative, urging someone to adopt a truthful and transparent stance regarding a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be honest about" is a common and grammatically correct way to encourage truthfulness and transparency. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it's frequently used in news articles and general discussions to elicit genuine opinions and factual accounts. While seemingly simple, choosing to "be honest about" something requires consideration of context, audience and delivery. Remembering to balance truth with tact can make your message more effective and well-received. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is widely accepted and provides numerous examples of usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give your honest opinion on

Specifically requests an opinion rooted in honesty, rather than simply stating a fact.

be truthful regarding

Replaces "honest" with "truthful" and "about" with "regarding", offering a more formal tone.

be candid concerning

Substitutes "honest" with "candid" and "about" with "concerning", emphasizing frankness and directness.

offer full disclosure on

Focuses on the completeness of the honesty, implying that all relevant information is revealed.

disclose the truth about

Focuses on the act of revealing information truthfully, rather than just being honest.

reveal the facts about

Emphasizes the factual aspect of the information being conveyed, focusing on accuracy.

be frank about

Highlights the quality of being direct and outspoken, which can sometimes be associated with honesty.

speak openly about

Shifts the focus to the manner of communication, emphasizing transparency and lack of reservation.

share your perspective on

Indicates the act of expressing personal point of view in an honest manner.

address transparently

Highlights dealing with something in a transparent manner.

FAQs

How can I use "be honest about" in a sentence?

You can use "be honest about" to encourage someone to share their true feelings or opinions regarding a specific topic or situation. For example, "I appreciate you "being honest about" your concerns during the meeting."

What can I say instead of "be honest about"?

Alternatives to "be honest about" include "be truthful regarding", "be candid concerning", or "give your honest opinion on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to "be honest about" everything?

While honesty is generally a good policy, it's important to consider the context and potential impact of your words. Sometimes, "being tactful about" how you express yourself is more important than "being brutally honest about" something. Discretion and empathy are key.

What's the difference between "be honest about" and "be open about"?

"Be honest about" emphasizes truthfulness and accuracy, while "be open about" focuses on transparency and willingness to share information. You can be open about something without "being completely honest about" your true feelings or opinions.