frankly speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"frankly speaking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that speaks candidly and honestly about a topic and is often used as an introductory phrase to emphasize the truth. For example, "Frankly speaking, I don't think this decision will be popular with our customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Frankly speaking, it depends on their accents.

University of California, Berkeley

Frankly speaking, this is what hurts most.

The New York Times

"Frankly speaking, I don't care," he says.

The Guardian

Frankly speaking, I'm not enjoying politics at all.

The New Yorker

"Frankly speaking," he added, "it's a huge challenge.

The New York Times - Arts

"But frankly speaking, I just hope the check doesn't bounce".

The New York Times - Sports

Frankly speaking, I regret that you wrote it.

Princeton University

("The gastronomy," he concluded gravely, "is, frankly speaking, peculiar").

The New Yorker

"Frankly speaking, it's an adventure," Mr. Mahdi said later.

The New York Times

"Frankly speaking, I don't care for this government," he said.

The Washington Post

"Frankly speaking, I would like to start a revolt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frankly speaking" to introduce a statement that might be considered blunt or critical, but which you believe needs to be said. This sets the tone for directness.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "frankly speaking". Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and insincere. Opt for synonyms or vary your sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frankly speaking" functions as a discourse marker or sentence adverb. It serves to modify the entire sentence, indicating the speaker's intention to be direct and candid. As Ludwig AI highlights, it introduces a statement delivered with honesty and forthrightness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frankly speaking" is a widely used adverbial phrase that signals directness and honesty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best used when you want to emphasize candor, being mindful of overuse. Consider related phrases like "to be honest" or "candidly" for varied expression. While appropriate in many contexts, reserve it in highly formal writing for potentially more professional alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be frank

A more concise and direct synonym emphasizing the speaker's candor.

candidly

A single-word adverb emphasizing a straightforward and honest manner.

to be honest

Focuses more on the speaker's honesty and less on the directness of the statement.

in all honesty

Similar to "to be honest" but may carry a slightly stronger emphasis on sincerity.

honestly

A simple adverb that indicates sincerity, without necessarily implying bluntness.

if I'm being honest

Acknowledges the possibility of bias but asserts the speaker's current honesty.

truth be told

Adds a narrative flavor, as if revealing a previously unstated truth.

to tell you the truth

Indicates that the speaker is about to reveal something that may be surprising or unexpected.

let's be honest

Invites agreement or acknowledgment of a potentially uncomfortable truth.

in my honest opinion

Explicitly frames the statement as the speaker's personal, honest view.

FAQs

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

"Frankly speaking" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a candid or blunt statement. For instance, "Frankly speaking, I don't agree with your proposal."

What are some alternatives to "frankly speaking"?

You can use alternatives such as "to be honest", "to be frank", or "truth be told" depending on the specific context.

Is "frankly speaking" suitable for formal writing?

While "frankly speaking" is acceptable in many contexts, it might be perceived as too informal for highly formal writing. Consider using a more professional alternative like "in my assessment" or "in my opinion".

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

While both phrases convey sincerity, "frankly speaking" emphasizes directness and potential bluntness, while "honestly speaking" ("honestly speaking") simply highlights the speaker's intention to be truthful.