honest about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'honest about' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to talk about someone or something being honest or truthful about something. For example: She was honest about her feelings and I respected her for it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He's honest about it".

The New Yorker

Be honest about yourself.

The New York Times

Be honest about your score.

The New York Times

They're honest about it.

The Guardian

We are just being honest about that.

The New York Times

Be honest about it," he said.

The New York Times

Calatrava is just more honest about it.

The New Yorker

I'm honest about expressing my opinions.

The New York Times

"I was honest about my addiction.

The New York Times

I can be honest about it.

The New York Times - Sports

We're less honest about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "honest about", ensure the context clearly specifies what the subject is being honest about to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "She was honest", say "She was honest about her feelings".

Common error

Avoid using "honest about" when a more precise term is needed. While "honest about" implies general truthfulness, using terms like "accurate about" or "correct about" can be more suitable when discussing factual details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "honest about" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject by indicating their truthfulness regarding a specific topic. Ludwig AI confirms this usage as grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, as demonstrated by the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

41%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "honest about" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe someone's truthfulness regarding a specific subject. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's frequently found in news, media and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject and the topic of honesty are clearly defined. While the phrase is generally neutral, alternative phrases like "truthful regarding" or "forthright about" may be more suitable depending on the desired level of formality or nuance. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "honest about" to convey sincerity and transparency in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truthful regarding

This alternative focuses on factual accuracy and sincerity concerning a specific subject.

forthright about

This suggests a direct and unambiguous communication style.

candid about

Implies a sincere and impartial honesty, often about sensitive topics.

open about

This phrase suggests a willingness to share information without reservation.

frank about

Similar to 'candid', but can sometimes imply a lack of tact.

sincere about

Emphasizes the genuineness of one's feelings or intentions.

transparent about

Focuses on the visibility and clarity of information.

straightforward about

Highlights the simplicity and directness of communication.

upfront about

Indicates honesty from the beginning, preventing misunderstandings.

direct about

This suggests a lack of hesitation or beating around the bush when communicating.

FAQs

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

Use "honest about" to describe someone's truthfulness regarding a particular subject. For example, "He was "honest about" his mistakes".

What can I say instead of "honest about"?

You can use alternatives like "truthful regarding", "forthright about", or "candid about" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "honest on" instead of "honest about"?

While "honest on" might sound similar, ""honest about"" is the idiomatic and grammatically correct choice. "Honest on" is rarely used and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "honest about" and "sincere about"?

"Honest about" implies telling the truth, while "sincere about" means genuinely feeling or believing something. You can be sincere without being honest, and vice versa.