but truthfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but truthfully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement that conveys honesty or sincerity, often in contrast to what was previously said. Example: "I enjoyed the movie, but truthfully, I found the plot to be quite predictable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But truthfully?

The New York Times

"But truthfully, it was the exact opposite.

The New York Times

"But truthfully, the ball popped out".

The New York Times - Sports

But truthfully, there's so much information online.

Harvard Business Review

Small rooms felt claustrophobic, but truthfully so.

The Guardian - Tech

But, truthfully, Elvis made the same ones.

The New York Times - Arts

"But, truthfully, it was a bit of a mess".

The New York Times

But truthfully, I was always distinctly average as a swimmer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But truthfully, I was trolling for tips on flattering suits.

The New York Times - Tech

"But truthfully, I wanted something with design value, too".

The New York Times

But truthfully, I think they all feed off each other.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but truthfully" to introduce a contrasting statement that emphasizes sincerity and honesty. It works best when you want to gently correct a previous impression or provide a more accurate perspective.

Common error

While "but truthfully" is effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "but honestly" or "but to be honest" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but truthfully" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, introducing a statement that provides a more honest or accurate perspective, often contrasting with the preceding statement. Ludwig AI shows that is often used at the beginning of a new clause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but truthfully" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a statement that offers a more sincere or accurate perspective, often contrasting with a preceding statement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's commonly found in News & Media, used to shift to honest communication, yet rarely in scientific contexts. To avoid sounding repetitive, alternatives like "but honestly" or "to be honest" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but honestly

Replaces "truthfully" with "honestly", maintaining a similar level of sincerity.

but to tell the truth

Offers a more explicit and conversational declaration of honesty.

but to be honest

Adds "to be" for a slightly more explicit declaration of honesty.

but the truth is

More directly introduces a true statement, emphasizing revelation.

but in reality

Shifts the focus to factual accuracy rather than personal honesty.

yet in truth

Uses "yet" to provide a stronger contrast and "in truth" for formal tone.

but frankly

Emphasizes directness and candor, possibly with a slightly less gentle tone.

however, truly

Separates "however" for contrast and "truly" for emphasis.

but in fact

Highlights the factual nature of the statement, providing a stronger emphasis on evidence.

but actually

Focuses on correcting a prior misunderstanding or assumption.

FAQs

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

Use "but truthfully" to introduce a statement that provides a more honest or accurate perspective, often in contrast to what was previously said. For example: "I enjoyed the party, but truthfully, I was exhausted the whole time."

What are some alternatives to saying "but truthfully"?

You can use phrases like "but honestly", "to be honest", or "frankly speaking" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "but truthfully" or "but truly"?

"But truthfully" is generally preferred because it directly emphasizes honesty. "But truly" can also work, but it focuses more on the actual truth rather than the act of being truthful.

What's the difference between "but truthfully" and "but actually"?

"But truthfully" implies sincerity and honesty in what you're about to say. "But actually" focuses on correcting a potential misunderstanding or revealing a factual reality. For example: "I thought I would enjoy the concert, "but truthfully", I was bored," versus "I thought the concert was sold out, "but actually", there were still tickets available."