honestly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "honestly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the truthfulness of a statement. For example: "I honestly can't remember what time the store closes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TV & Radio

Sport

Opinion

Cities

US News

Politics

Society

Music

Children's Books

UK News

Lifestyle

Travel

Money

Arts

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now you honestly think you will get it back.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I honestly don't know what this song is doing in Eurovision.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It continued: "In arriving at our decision, the commission reiterates that we found Mr Jerome to be a truthful witness who honestly believed that he had been racially abused.

The Guardian - Sport

I'll give you an example, I've been watching games at the Salt Lake stadium since it opened in 1981 [now Atletico de Kolkata's home ground], when I was a kid, and I can honestly say watching a match there recently is the first time in my life I saw clean bathrooms!" Do you think it's attracting new audiences?

The Guardian

The judge added: "The criminality here is that, for financial gain, you betrayed the trust placed in you to play honestly and to the best of your ability.

The Guardian - Sport

Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report, said that while Clinton may currently be emphasizing issues that resonate with Democratic primary voters, there was no reason to think the words were not honestly come by, and the candidate did not seem to be straying outside her central political identity.

The Guardian

Labour's spokesman on Europe, Pat McFadden, told the meeting it was imperative that the party did not simply "tune back in to the normal rhythms of opposition" but honestly confronted its disasters in Scotland, England and Wales.

The Guardian

"I honestly think it's the best public healthcare system in the world".

The Guardian

Ancelotti believes a solution will be found, adding: "I honestly think that it's a matter that will be fixed in the coming days.

The Guardian - Sport

But now to cap it all, apart from the usual heavy arms onslaught for not staying at home or slumming it in the Med like the rest of us, the poor Blairs are coming in for some extra-unfriendly fire for even thinking of going to the Caribbean in the summer (honestly, my dear, so uncool... and nothing for the kids).

The Guardian - Travel

I recently had the pleasure of reading Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas, a psychological thriller that honestly will leave you mentally and emotionally damaged by the end.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "honestly" to add emphasis to your statements, particularly when you want to assure your audience of your sincerity or truthfulness. Consider the tone and context to ensure it aligns with your intended message.

Common error

Avoid using "honestly" excessively, as it can make you sound defensive or insincere. Vary your language with other adverbs like "frankly", "truly", or "genuinely" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "honestly" primarily functions as an intensifier, modifying a verb or adjective to emphasize the truthfulness or sincerity of a statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it aims to convince the listener of the speaker's veracity. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

10%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Money

5%

Music

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "honestly" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize truthfulness and sincerity across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed to build trust and credibility in communication. While "honestly" is very common, particularly in news and media, it's important to avoid overuse, which can diminish its impact. Alternatives like "frankly", "truly", or "genuinely" can help maintain a balanced and sincere tone. Mastering the use of "honestly" involves understanding its communicative purpose and employing it judiciously to enhance the authenticity of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truthfully

Directly conveys the act of telling the truth.

in all honesty

Highlights the truthfulness of a statement, often used for emphasis.

to be honest

A common introductory phrase to indicate sincerity.

to tell you the truth

Signals that the speaker is about to reveal something honestly.

frankly speaking

Emphasizes a direct and unreserved expression of one's thoughts.

candidly

Suggests a straightforward and open manner of speaking.

in my honest opinion

Specifies that the following statement is the speaker's sincere belief.

genuinely

Indicates a sincere and authentic feeling or belief.

sincerely

Expresses a heartfelt and earnest sentiment.

in truth

Emphasizes the veracity of a statement.

FAQs

How can I use "honestly" in a sentence to express my true feelings?

You can use "honestly" to emphasize the sincerity of your statement. For example, "I "honestly" believe that we can overcome this challenge" or "Honestly, I don't know what to do next".

What are some alternatives to using "honestly" in writing?

Instead of "honestly", consider using phrases like "to be frank", "in all sincerity", or "truthfully" to convey the same meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the word "honestly"?

While generally acceptable, using "honestly" might be inappropriate in highly formal or technical writing where a more objective tone is preferred. It's best suited for situations where personal assurance is valued.

What's the difference between "honestly" and "sincerely"?

"Honestly" is often used to emphasize the truthfulness of a statement at the moment of speaking, while "sincerely" implies a deeper, more heartfelt feeling or intention that extends beyond the immediate context.