frank about

USAGE SUMMARY

"frank about" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing someone's honesty or openness regarding a topic. Example: She was very frank about her feelings on the matter. Alternative expressions include "candid about" and "honest about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is frank about the downsides.

The New York Times - Arts

And they were frank about it afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

Extremely frank about the racial dynamics.

The New Yorker

I have been frank about that.

Independent

Panchèvre is frank about zoos.

The Guardian

He's frank about his motive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And she's frank about the financial necessity.

Independent

And he was completely frank about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was frank about her plastic surgery.

The Guardian

He was frank about the country's problems.

The Guardian

THE association is frank about its intentions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with a noun that represents a specific subject, such as "frank about the risks" or "frank about her history" to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the adverb "frankly" when an adjective is required to describe a person's state. For example, say "He was frank about his mistakes" rather than "He was frankly about his mistakes". The latter is ungrammatical because "frankly" cannot take a prepositional object in this manner.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frank about" functions as an adjective phrase where "frank" acts as the head adjective and "about" introduces a prepositional phrase acting as its complement. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it typically follows a linking verb like "to be" (e.g., "He was frank about...") to describe the subject's communicative disposition toward a specific topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1.5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frank about" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to describe direct, honest communication. Ludwig AI demonstrates that it is a favorite in quality journalism, often used to highlight a subject's willingness to address complex issues such as racial dynamics, financial failure, or personal struggles. Unlike more aggressive terms like "blunt about", "frank about" carries a connotation of professional integrity and necessary transparency. It is a versatile tool for any writer looking to convey sincerity in a neutral or formal tone, provided it is correctly used as an adjective modifying a subject rather than confused with its adverbial cousin, "frankly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

candid about

Suggests a slightly more informal or spontaneous degree of honesty.

honest about

The most general and common alternative, focusing on truthfulness.

forthright about

Emphasizes a proactive and direct manner of speaking.

open about

Focuses on the lack of secrecy regarding a topic.

transparent about

Often used in organizational or professional contexts to imply full disclosure.

straightforward about

Highlights the absence of complexity or evasion in communication.

direct about

Emphasizes getting straight to the point without softening the message.

outspoken about

Suggests a vocal or public expression of opinions.

plain-spoken about

Implies using simple, unadorned language to convey the truth.

blunt about

Carries a connotation of being almost too direct, potentially to the point of rudeness.

FAQs

How do I use "frank about" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's openness, such as in "The CEO was "candid about" the company's financial struggles". In this context, "frank about" indicates a lack of deception or evasion.

What can I say instead of "frank about"?

Depending on your context, you can use synonyms like "honest about", "transparent about", or "forthright about".

Is "frank about" more formal than "honest about"?

It is generally considered slightly more professional or literary. While "honest about" is universal, "frank about" is frequently found in high-quality journalism and biographies.

What is the difference between "frank about" and "blunt about"?

While both imply directness, "blunt about" often implies a lack of tact or politeness, whereas "frank about" is typically viewed as a positive or necessary trait in communication.