frankly asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'frankly asking' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as a lead in to a question you are asking, as an indication that you are approaching the subject frankly and honestly. For example, "Frankly asking, do you have any other ideas for our project?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I instead am quite frankly asking: Where are the writers who come from a community that numbers 55 million in this country?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

During their first meeting he frankly asked Wolfe Herd to become the chief marketing officer of Badoo.

TechCrunch

(Okay, I know that I just set myself up as the "evil money expert;" however, you don't want to foster the, "I want, I want syndrome"). Be the first one to discuss your kid's parenting of the grandkids, citing that you think the grandkids are too materialistic and are frankly always asking for things.

Forbes

Daddy got assaulted at the petrol pump, but quite frankly he asked for it because he was extremely rude to a fellow motorist.

The Guardian

And the Gores' oldest daughter, Karenna Gore Schiff, answered frankly when asked if the first lady and her mother are friends: "They've definitely had a personal relationship," she said, using the past tense.

The New York Times

Still, when I remarked that Rojas and McGee didn't yet seem to be over Kilgallen, she looked at me frankly and asked, "Are we supposed to be over her?" Rojas arrived in San Francisco with her own artistic concerns, and a vision of collaboration forged in part by what Kilgallen and McGee had projected.

The New Yorker

"They will be delighted to come in to sort out the problem and actually, quite frankly, I ask the bus drivers, stop this, we've got to make this a great event, sort it out as fast as possible.

BBC

But I digress... Frankly, I ask what the budget is from every prospective client that is looking to hire me for full or partial planning, as well as design and decor.

Huffington Post

CASTRO: Well, you know, there's no question that the debt is an important issue, but immigration reform and gun control are also important issues that the American people, quite frankly, have asked the Congress to deal with.

Huffington Post

And, frankly, we're asking the American people to do an awful lot right now.

The Washington Post

It was extraordinary, frankly, to leave asking him so late in the day.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frankly asking" to signal a direct and honest approach to a question, particularly when the topic might be sensitive or require transparency. For example, "Frankly asking, what are the potential risks associated with this decision?"

Common error

Avoid using "frankly asking" in very casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or even confrontational. In such situations, simpler alternatives like "honestly" or "directly" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frankly asking" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It prefaces a question to signal directness and honesty, encouraging a candid response. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frankly asking" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a question with an emphasis on directness and honesty. Ludwig AI validates its usage. While relatively rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using "frankly asking", consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality. Alternatives include "honestly asking" or "directly asking", which offer similar meanings with subtle variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honestly asking

Replaces "frankly" with "honestly" to convey sincerity in the inquiry.

candidly asking

Substitutes "frankly" with "candidly" emphasizing openness and directness.

openly asking

Uses "openly" instead of "frankly" to highlight the transparent nature of the question.

directly asking

Replaces "frankly" with "directly", focusing on the straightforwardness of the query.

plainly asking

Uses "plainly" to indicate a clear and simple way of asking.

bluntly asking

Substitutes "frankly" with "bluntly" which suggests a more forceful and less nuanced approach.

to be frank, asking

Adds "to be frank" for emphasis, slightly altering the structure.

in all honesty, asking

Replaces "frankly" with "in all honesty" to strengthen the sincerity.

speaking frankly, asking

Replaces "frankly" with "speaking frankly" to maintain the sentiment of honesty and openness.

truthfully asking

Uses "truthfully" instead of "frankly" to put emphasis on the truth.

FAQs

How can I use "frankly asking" in a sentence?

You can use "frankly asking" to introduce a question that you want to be answered directly and honestly, such as, "Frankly asking, are you satisfied with the current progress of the project?"

What can I say instead of "frankly asking"?

You can use alternatives like "honestly asking", "candidly asking", or "directly asking" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "frankly asking"?

While "frankly asking" can be effective in certain situations, it might come across as too formal or blunt in casual conversations. Consider the context and your relationship with the person you're speaking to before using this phrase.

What's the difference between "frankly asking" and "speaking frankly"?

"Frankly asking" is typically used to introduce a specific question, while "speaking frankly" is a broader statement indicating that you're about to be honest and direct in your overall communication.