candour

USAGE SUMMARY

'candour' is a correct and usable word.
It is a noun that means the quality of being open and honest in expression or speech. Example sentence: Mary's candour impressed her colleagues, who appreciated her integrity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ed spoke brilliantly about the 2008 financial crisis, corporate tax avoidance and other issues with candour and determination to fix these threats to society.

The Guardian - Opinion

His turbulent playing career was marred by clashes with authority, his erratic behaviour and candour quickly marking him out as a 'bad boy'.

The Guardian - Sport

Paddick's call for candour, appropriate as it was, had not been heeded by his superiors.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, two weeks out from defending his French Open title and just shy of his 29th birthday, it was no surprise to hear him dissect his travails here with typical candour.

The Guardian - Sport

The measures the health secretary announced included a duty of candour on the NHS to be open with patients about mistakes and the appointment of 5,000 safety champions charged with identifying unsafe care.

The Guardian

For nearly 13 minutes in the bowels of the main stand yesterday, Ponting was the Spirit of Cricket itself, a monument to patience, candour and affability, as he built a public relations innings of which Nelson Mandela would be proud.

The Guardian - Sport

In many countries he was treated rather more respectfully than at home, where his candour was redefined as petulance by his critics He remained determined that he would be vindicated, until close to the end.

The Guardian

SM Hats off to Mauricio Pochettino for his refreshing candour: he simply cannot be bothered hiding his disdain for the Europa League.

The Guardian - Sport

He later left Aursland and moved to Sweden, but she only learned of the initial episode with Bostrom when she read the second volume, A Man in Love, where it is recorded with characteristically scrupulous candour.

The Guardian - Books

In a burst of candour, one attendee admitted: "It's happened to all of us here".

The Guardian

She's dropped all the dumb blonde routines and now comes across as even more likable for her candour and genuine spirit of independence.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about official reports or statements that present facts clearly and honestly, use "candour" to give them credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "candour" as an excuse for being unnecessarily harsh or insensitive. While "candour" implies honesty, it should still be tempered with tact and consideration for the feelings of others. Do not assume that "candour" justifies saying anything that comes to mind without regard for its impact.

Linguistic Context

Candour functions as a noun, typically referring to the quality of being open, honest, and straightforward in expression. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correctly used word. Examples from Ludwig show it describing attributes of people, policies, and discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "candour" is a noun denoting the quality of being open and honest. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears frequently in News & Media sources, emphasizing its relevance in describing transparent communication. When using "candour", ensure it's balanced with tact to avoid unintended harshness. Consider alternatives like "frankness" or "honesty" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While the spelling "candour" is more common in British English, "candor" is preferred in American English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frankness

Similar to "candour", but often implies a more direct and potentially blunt honesty.

openness

Focuses on a willingness to share information and feelings without necessarily implying complete honesty.

honesty

A general term for truthfulness and integrity, encompassing "candour" but less specific about the manner of expression.

sincerity

Emphasizes genuineness and heartfelt honesty, whereas "candour" may be more about directness.

forthrightness

Highlights a direct and unambiguous way of speaking, similar to "candour" but potentially more assertive.

directness

Focuses on a straightforward and clear style of communication, lacking evasiveness.

veracity

Refers to accuracy and truth, somewhat more formal than "candour".

genuineness

Emphasizes authenticity and a lack of pretense, related to "candour" but more about being real.

plain speaking

Highlights clear and uncomplicated speech, often implying a lack of embellishment.

truthfulness

Focuses on the act of telling the truth, making it a broader concept than "candour".

FAQs

How is "candour" used in a sentence?

"Candour" is typically used to describe someone's honesty and frankness in their communication. For example: "Her "candour" during the interview was refreshing."

What are some synonyms for "candour"?

Alternatives to "candour" include "frankness", "honesty", "sincerity", and "forthrightness". Each word carries slightly different connotations, so consider the context.

Is it correct to use "candor" instead of "candour"?

"Candor" and "candour" are both correct, but "candour" is the preferred spelling in British English, while "candor" is more common in American English.

When is "candour" inappropriate?

While "candour" is generally positive, it can be inappropriate if it's used without tact or consideration for others' feelings. Sometimes, diplomacy and sensitivity are more important than complete "candour".