frankly stated

USAGE SUMMARY

"frankly stated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a statement in a direct and straightforward way. For example: "Frankly stated, I don't think this plan will work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And the Fed's goals, if frankly stated, wouldn't be nearly as politically explosive as what it was doing in 1979-82.

The New York Times

According to a report from The Telegraph, Ms. Brooks's resignation was also preceded by much more frankly stated criticism from Mr. Murdoch's daughter, Elisabeth, who is a television executive.

The New York Times

As he frankly stated, reverence for Abraham or Ibrahim is often cited as a common denominator between Jews, Christians and Muslims; but in fact ideas about the patriarch highlight big differences as well as commonalities.

The Economist

This is an age of rational and moral comedy, and Murphy hasn't reconfigured his comedic performances to the new tone (even though he daringly and frankly stated his stern principles on the biggest stage of all, the Oscars, in 1988).

The New Yorker

Of a practical nature Not sinking but drowning Reprints Related items Letter from Maldives: Not sinking but drowningMay 11th 2000 Of a practical natureMay 11th 2000 Related topics San Francisco Western EuropeThe dichotomy is frankly stated in a new book by two fervent apostles of modernity, Guy Cooper and Gordon Taylor.

The Economist

Some are frankly stated.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Seventy-five percent of the students qualify for free lunch, and the school's brochure frankly states that many come from single-parent families with histories of violence and drug abuse.

The New York Times

Comparing the heliospheric views which one had three decades ago with those of nowadays, one can frankly state what an enormous scientific progress has been made in this research field.

Advances in Space Research

But honesty bubbles up from blood, and Box is frankly stating that, at worst case, its losses will become worse before they get better.

TechCrunch

New York critic Barr Feree wrote in 1892 that "There are no attempts at facades... no ornamental appendages, nothing but a succession of windows, frankly stating that the structure is an office building, devoted to business, needing and using every available surface".

Wikipedia

An update to Branwyn's Beyond Cyberpunk! hyper-card stack included a new introduction, which referred to the Cyberpunk controversy, frankly stating "The release of Billy Idol's album Cyberpunk was met with a hailstorm of controversy on the Net, as young cyber-Turks whined about how he had ripped them off and destroyed their secret club".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frankly stated" to introduce a point that might be controversial or unexpected, signaling to your audience that you are about to be direct and honest. It helps manage expectations and soften the impact of potentially strong opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "frankly stated" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or overly assertive. Vary your language with alternatives like "to be perfectly honest" or "to put it bluntly" to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frankly stated" functions as a discourse marker or adverbial phrase. It modifies a sentence, indicating the speaker's intention to be direct and honest. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, supported by multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frankly stated" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to introduce a direct and honest statement, often one that might be surprising or controversial. While relatively uncommon, it finds its primary use in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. To maintain variety in writing, consider using synonyms such as "to be perfectly honest" or "in all honesty". Remember to avoid overuse to prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be perfectly honest

Emphasizes honesty but uses a more conversational tone.

in all honesty

Highlights sincerity, similar to frankly but with a focus on personal truth.

to put it bluntly

Indicates a direct, perhaps even harsh, way of expressing something.

to be candid

Stresses openness and sincerity in communication.

in plain language

Focuses on clarity and simplicity of expression, avoiding jargon.

speaking plainly

Highlights directness and lack of ambiguity in speech.

truthfully

Emphasizes accuracy and adherence to facts.

in no uncertain terms

Indicates a clear, forceful, and unambiguous expression.

to tell the truth

Focuses on revealing the accurate details of a situation.

without pretense

Highlights sincerity and the absence of artificiality or deceit.

FAQs

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

You can use "frankly stated" to introduce a direct or possibly controversial opinion, such as "Frankly stated, I don't agree with this approach."

What are some alternatives to "frankly stated"?

Alternatives include "to be honest", "to be candid", or "to put it bluntly", depending on the desired level of directness.

Is "frankly stated" formal or informal?

"Frankly stated" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for both professional and news contexts, but less common in very informal settings.

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

"Frankly stated" is a more concise and direct way to introduce a statement, while "honestly speaking" is more conversational and implies a more personal disclosure.