be honest about something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be honest about something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to express their true feelings or thoughts regarding a specific topic or situation. Example: "I appreciate your feedback, but I need you to be honest about something: do you think this project is on the right track?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And let's be honest about something else, too: Jumoke's concerns about American military expansion are valid and important.

The Guardian

If your broker is willing to breach client confidentiality, can you trust him to be honest about something as important as a stock's value or Tom Cruise's marital status?

The New York Times - Magazine

So I've learned that no matter how excited I am by a particular setting or idea or image, unless it functions as a means to get at truth, to be honest about something that feels emotionally true to me, some genuinely mysterious and interesting aspect of our natures, then the story ultimately will never take off, or take on dimensions.

The New Yorker

I'll be honest about something else.

Huffington Post

Let's also be honest about something else.

Huffington Post

And let's be honest about something -- neither will the media, particularly the Washington Beltway media.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

You might be scared about being honest about something with someone because it might hurt.

Vice

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Vice

I also found myself spending a lot of time trying to make other people wrong and me right, and that's a sure sign you're not being honest about something.

Huffington Post

And that's a lot to handle as a woman -- just having all these images of what you should look and be like -- so when you finally hear a woman being honest about something she's insecure about, it's so refreshing.

Huffington Post

"We need to be honest about it, and we need to do something about it," he said, contending that the new guidelines "should give people reassurance that the police know what they are doing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be honest about something" to encourage direct and sincere communication, especially when addressing sensitive or important topics.

Common error

Ensure that when you use "be honest about something", the context makes it clear what the subject of honesty should be. Vague references can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be honest about something" functions as an imperative, urging someone to express their genuine thoughts or feelings regarding a specific subject. As indicated by Ludwig, it encourages truthfulness in communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

8.33%

Less common in

Science

8.33%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be honest about something" is a common and grammatically correct way to encourage direct and sincere communication. According to Ludwig, its purpose is to elicit candid responses, particularly when seeking clarity or feedback. While applicable in both formal and informal settings, it's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. Related phrases include "be candid about something" and "be truthful about something". Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's usability and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be candid about something

Replaces "honest" with "candid", emphasizing openness and frankness.

be truthful about something

Substitutes "honest" with "truthful", highlighting adherence to facts.

be frank about something

Uses "frank" instead of "honest", suggesting a straightforward and possibly blunt approach.

be upfront about something

Replaces "honest" with "upfront", stressing transparency from the beginning.

disclose something honestly

Shifts the structure to focus on the act of disclosing with honesty.

reveal something truthfully

Changes the verb to "reveal" and uses "truthfully" to modify it, emphasizing the act of unveiling the truth.

speak openly about something

Focuses on the manner of speaking, which is open and without reservation.

share something honestly

Emphasizes the act of sharing information with honesty.

tell the truth about something

A more direct and explicit way of expressing the need for honesty.

be genuine regarding something

Uses "genuine" to convey sincerity and authenticity in relation to the topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "be honest about something" to encourage someone to express their true feelings or thoughts on a specific topic. For example, "I appreciate your feedback, but I need you to "be honest about something": do you think this project is on the right track?"

What are some alternatives to "be honest about something"?

You can use alternatives such as "be truthful about something", "be candid about something", or "be frank about something" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "be honest about something"?

It's appropriate to use "be honest about something" when you need someone to provide a sincere and direct assessment or opinion, particularly in situations where truthfulness is crucial for decision-making or understanding.

Is "be honest about something" formal or informal?

"Be honest about something" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in everyday conversation and less formal writing.