explicitly speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explicitly speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that what you are about to say is a direct and concise explanation of your point or opinion. For example, "Explicitly speaking, I think the policy is too restrictive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Explicitly speaking, we have no intention to meet with the U.S. side. . . .

The New Yorker

Although Google is not an Olympics sponsor, its action came a day after three sponsors of the US Olympic Committee - AT&T, DeVry University and yogurt maker Chobani - issued statements explicitly speaking out against the Russian law.

BBC

But with many musicians aligning themselves with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election ― and some explicitly speaking out against the Republican nominee ― the Trump team is reportedly having a tough time finding performers.

HuffPost

But with many musicians aligning themselves with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election ― and some explicitly speaking out against the Republican nominee ― the Trump team is reportedly having a tough time finding performers. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

DeCarava, who died in 2009, explicitly spoke of his work as coming from a "black aesthetic".

The New York Times - Books

For the first time a British official body explicitly spoke of a Jewish state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The 1992 climate treaty, which underpins the pending Kyoto Protocol, explicitly speaks of "differentiated responsibilities" for advanced and advancing nations.

The New York Times

The idea that safety culture somehow represents a "systemic view" on safety is seldom explicitly spoken out, but nevertheless seem to linger behind many safety culture discourses.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Sunstein, for example, contends that we should compare how well formalism and antiformalism function as market-mimicking default rules, roughly defined as rules that replicate what Congress would have done had it explicitly spoken to a particular interpretive question.

Harvard University

Royle's Derridaean book has a suggestive chapter on cannibalism and the uncanny, although it is not a subject Freud treats in the book - "Nowhere in The Uncanny does Freud explicitly speak of the uncanniness of cannibalism".

The Guardian - Books

Barghouti said: "Any Palestinian official who lacks a democratic mandate and any real public support who today explicitly speaks against boycotting Israel only shows how aloof he is from his own people's aspirations for freedom, justice and equality, and how oblivious he is to our struggle for our inalienable rights".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explicitly speaking" to introduce a clear, direct statement, especially when clarifying a complex or potentially ambiguous topic.

Common error

Avoid using "explicitly speaking" in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or pretentious when a simpler phrase would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explicitly speaking" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase. It modifies the subsequent clause by indicating that the speaker intends to be direct and unambiguous in their statement. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase prepares the audience for a clear and concise explanation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explicitly speaking" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to introduce a direct and clear statement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests that, while not overly common, it serves to emphasize clarity, particularly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Alternatives like "specifically speaking" or "plainly speaking" can offer similar clarity with slight variations in emphasis. Use "explicitly speaking" when precision and directness are paramount, but be mindful of its formality in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specifically speaking

Emphasizes focusing on particular details or aspects.

plainly speaking

Highlights using simple and straightforward language.

categorically speaking

Suggests making a statement without any doubt or condition.

frankly speaking

Indicates honesty and openness, even if potentially blunt.

to be explicit

Shifts the focus to the act of being clear and unambiguous.

in explicit terms

Highlights the use of detailed and unambiguous language.

to put it explicitly

Adds a conversational tone, indicating a direct explanation is coming.

in no uncertain terms

Emphasizes the strength and clarity of the message.

to be precise

Highlights the need for accuracy and exactness in the statement.

directly speaking

Emphasizes the lack of indirectness in the communication.

FAQs

How can I use "explicitly speaking" in a sentence?

You can use "explicitly speaking" to introduce a clear and direct statement. For example, "Explicitly speaking, the budget cuts will affect our department significantly".

What can I say instead of "explicitly speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "specifically speaking", "plainly speaking", or "frankly speaking" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "explicitly speaking"?

It is appropriate to use "explicitly speaking" when you want to emphasize that you are being direct and clear, especially when addressing a complex or sensitive topic. It's well-suited for professional or formal settings.

Is "explicitly speaking" considered formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "explicitly speaking" leans towards the formal side. Simpler phrases may be more appropriate for casual contexts.