frankly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "frankly" is correct and used in written English.
It's an adverb used to give an opinion in an open, honest, and direct way. For example, you could say, "Frankly, I think the decision was a bad one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But when equally unacceptable views or practices have come from someone who isn't white, we've been too cautious, frankly even fearful, to stand up to them".

The New York Times

But frankly I am a marriage man, I am a great supporter of marriage.

The Guardian

"When I heard this, frankly, I choked on my porridge and I thought it must be April Fools' day," Cameron said.

The Guardian

We decided we're going to reduce our reliance on categories that quite frankly take up a lot of space and don't take a lot of money," Clarke said.

The Guardian - Business

"We look to Australia and other partners that we'll have the opportunity to meet with at the G20 to fulfil the commitments they've made and do more, quite frankly," Rice told the Australian Financial Review in comments published on Monday.

The Guardian

The following day he totally blew a gasket, saying that Ed Balls' description of Liam Byrne's "there's no money left" note as a joke was "frankly the most appalling thing I have heard in this election campaign so far".

The Guardian

Karl Oyston did finally return her calls on Friday to tell her it was for security reasons, but the police have made sure everyone knows it is nothing to do with them and the idea is frankly ludicrous.

The Guardian - Sport

"Quite frankly, being Ukip, we had absolutely nothing like [the information in the envelope] at all," said Rose. "We just scatter-gunned it and did the best we could.

The Guardian

"Field has spoken fully and frankly about the Tutill murder when confronted with the hard facts of the DNA evidence," said Supt Treble.

The Guardian

"I frankly think that her time has passed, and I think there are much better candidates out there with a lot more substance, a lot more ability and a lot more drive," he said.

The Guardian

Frankly, although it would be better if he did, it's easy to see why he didn't.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frankly" to introduce a direct or potentially critical statement to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "frankly" excessively, as it can make your tone seem overly blunt or even aggressive. Instead, vary your language with softer alternatives like "honestly" or "to be honest" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "frankly" primarily functions as a discourse marker. It signals to the reader or listener that the speaker is about to express a sincere, and possibly critical, opinion or assessment. Ludwig AI confirms that this use is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frankly" functions as a discourse marker signaling sincerity and directness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently used in news and media, as well as in formal and business contexts. While versatile, be mindful of overusing "frankly", as it can sometimes be perceived as overly blunt. Alternatives like "to be honest" or "in all honesty" can offer a softer tone. The word choice largely depends on the specific context and the desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be honest

Replaces "frankly" with a more conversational tone, emphasizing sincerity.

in all honesty

Highlights the speaker's truthfulness, adding a touch of formality.

to tell you the truth

Signals a candid revelation, often used to preface a potentially sensitive statement.

candidly speaking

Emphasizes a straightforward and unreserved expression of opinion.

in my honest opinion

Explicitly states that the following statement is a personal and truthful belief.

if I'm being honest

Introduces a sincere admission, often implying a previous lack of complete openness.

truth be told

Offers a slightly dramatic way to preface a sincere statement or admission.

honestly speaking

Similar to "candidly speaking", but with a slightly gentler tone.

in plain language

Indicates a clear and direct way of expressing something, avoiding euphemisms.

putting it simply

Signals a concise and easily understandable explanation, usually after a more complex discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "frankly" in a sentence?

"Frankly" is used to introduce a direct or honest opinion. For example, "Frankly, I don't agree with your decision."

What can I say instead of "frankly"?

You can use alternatives like "to be honest", "in all honesty", or "to tell you the truth" depending on the context.

Is it rude to start a sentence with "frankly"?

While "frankly" isn't inherently rude, it can come across as blunt or critical. Consider the audience and context before using it, and soften the statement if necessary.

What's the difference between "frankly" and "honestly"?

"Frankly" often implies a more direct and potentially critical honesty, while "honestly" can be a more general expression of truthfulness.