but openly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but openly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done in a frank or candid manner, often contrasting with a previous statement or action. Example: "He expressed his concerns about the project, but openly admitted that he was unsure of the best solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Why is the term "openly gay" so widely used but "openly straight" is not?

Princeton University

But openly or secretly believing in the superiority of your own group is one thing.

University of California, Berkeley

But openly adopting such a policy would help keep the Greenspan economic "luck" going.

Harvard University

The group denies involvement in church burning but openly feeds resentment of wabara, or mainland Tanzanians.

The Economist

The Clinton administration all but openly endorsed the Labor Party's Shimon Peres in Israel's election for prime minister May 29.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Even when the people exercised legislative power directly, they did so not anonymously, but openly in town hall meetings.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Alcock drinks, too, but loudly, openly, happily.

The New Yorker

But once openly scorned, she turned tough.

The New York Times

But they openly proclaim their principles -- indoors.

The New York Times

Hamilton too consorted with Southerners, but less openly.

The New York Times

Justin, 10, is less driven but more openly affectionate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but openly" to create a contrast with a previous statement or action, emphasizing the frank and candid nature of the subsequent statement. For example, "The company faced criticism, but openly acknowledged its mistakes."

Common error

Avoid using "but openly" when there isn't a clear contrast or previous action to juxtapose. Ensure the phrase adds value by highlighting a candid or frank disclosure that might be unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but openly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a contrast, highlighting the frankness or candor of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

33%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but openly" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its function in creating a contrast by emphasizing frankness or candor. With its presence across diverse sources like academic papers, news articles, and media outlets, "but openly" is suitable for both professional and general contexts. To enhance writing, prioritize using "but openly" when a contrasting element is present, avoid overuse, and consider alternatives such as "however candidly" or "though frankly" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though frankly

Uses 'frankly' instead of 'openly', highlighting a direct and honest manner.

however candidly

Substitutes 'openly' with 'candidly', emphasizing honesty and frankness in expression.

yet publicly

Replaces 'openly' with 'publicly', implying actions are done in full view of the public.

while transparently

Replaces 'openly' with 'transparently', suggesting actions are clear and easily understood.

although overtly

Uses 'overtly' to suggest the action is done in an obvious and unconcealed way.

but in plain sight

Replaces 'openly' emphasizing that something is done without any attempt to hide it

even though explicitly

Substitutes 'openly' with 'explicitly', meaning something is clearly and directly stated.

yet without concealment

Replaces 'openly' with 'without concealment', which emphasizes lack of secrecy.

yet undisguised

Replaces 'openly' with 'undisguised', to emphasize lack of any attempt to hide ones feelings

but notoriously

Replaces 'openly' with 'notoriously', implying something negative that is widely known.

FAQs

How can I use "but openly" in a sentence?

Use "but openly" to introduce a candid or frank statement that contrasts with a previous action or statement. For example, "He initially denied the allegations, "but openly" confessed later on".

What are some alternatives to "but openly"?

You can use alternatives like "however candidly", "though frankly", or "yet publicly" depending on the specific context.

Is "but openly" formal or informal?

"But openly" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more frequently found in neutral to formal writing. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the piece.

What's the difference between "but openly" and "but secretly"?

"But openly" implies that something is done or stated in a frank and candid manner, while "but secretly" indicates that something is done or stated in a concealed manner. They are antonyms and serve opposite purposes in conveying information.