honest question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "honest question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that you are asking a question sincerely and without any hidden motives. Example: "I have an honest question about your decision-making process; can you explain your reasoning?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

(That's an honest question).

The New Yorker

Honest question, has @SMignolet made a single save in 2016?

Independent

"I'm going to ask you an honest question," she said.

The New York Times

He was giving an honest answer to an honest question.

The New York Times - Sports

"Let's ask an honest question: Do we have a multiparty system?

The New York Times

"It was an honest question and I think deserved an answer".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Before the game against Philadelphia at Nassau Coliseum tonight, he invited about 100 early arrivals into a conference room for an honest question-and-answer session in which he good-naturedly asked some fans to stop sending him e-mail messages calling him "stupid".

The New York Times - Sports

Is there no room for honest questions?

The New York Times

But he grew disillusioned as censors cut out his most honest questions.

The Washington Post

Ask a few honest questions and you'll get some useful answers.

The Guardian

"In my experience, he didn't initiate leaks, but he gave candid answers to honest questions".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, framing a potentially challenging question as an "honest question" can soften the impact and make the recipient more receptive to answering.

Common error

Avoid using "honest question" sarcastically or as a preface to a statement disguised as a question. This undermines your credibility and can create a hostile tone. Instead, ensure your question is truly seeking information and not simply making a point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "honest question" functions as a discourse marker, signaling the speaker's intent to ask a genuine and sincere question. Ludwig examples show it frequently used to introduce inquiries in various contexts. The Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "honest question" is a commonly used phrase to signal sincerity and genuine curiosity when asking a question. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, especially within news and media. The phrase aims to build trust and encourage open responses. When using it, be mindful to avoid sarcasm to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "genuine inquiry" or "sincere question" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. This makes "honest question" a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry", emphasizing the sincerity of the question.

sincere question

Substitutes "honest" with "sincere", highlighting the genuineness of the query.

frank question

Uses "frank" instead of "honest", suggesting a straightforward and open query.

candid question

Employs "candid" to indicate an honest and unbiased question.

straightforward question

Indicates a clear and direct question, avoiding ambiguity.

legitimate question

Highlights the validity and relevance of the question.

fair question

Implies that the question is unbiased and just.

earnest question

Replaces "honest" with "earnest" to emphasize the seriousness of the inquiry.

veritable question

Stresses the truthfulness and authenticity of the question.

truthful question

Directly states that the question is based on truth and sincerity.

FAQs

How do you use "honest question" in a sentence?

You can use "honest question" to introduce a genuine inquiry, like, "I have an "honest question" about your decision-making process."

What can I say instead of "honest question"?

You can use alternatives like "genuine inquiry", "sincere question", or "frank question" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "honest question"?

While all questions ideally should be honest, using the phrase ""honest question"" explicitly emphasizes your sincerity and lack of ulterior motives, making it useful in sensitive or complex discussions.

What's the difference between an "honest question" and a "rhetorical question"?

An ""honest question"" seeks a genuine answer, while a rhetorical question is asked for effect and doesn't require a response. Ensure your intent aligns with the type of question you're posing.