in all honesty

USAGE SUMMARY

"in all honesty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing your sincere opinion or thoughts on something. For example, "In all honesty, I'm not sure how I feel about this decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In all honesty, no.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In all honesty, it looked sleazy".

The New York Times

Good question, in all honesty.

The Washington Post

Probably not, in all honesty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In all honesty, the score wasn't either.

The Guardian - Sport

But, in all honesty, I can't.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A block of metal, in all honesty.

The Washington Post

Nor, in all honesty, could Alastair Cook.

The Guardian - Sport

In all honesty, it did not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I don't know, in all honesty.

The Guardian - Music

In all honesty, the opposite is true.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in all honesty", ensure the following statement is truthful and reflects your genuine opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "in all honesty" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for simpler alternatives like "honestly" or "to be frank" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in all honesty" functions as a discourse marker or adverbial phrase, signaling sincerity and framing the speaker's statement as a candid expression of their true feelings. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in all honesty" is a commonly used phrase that serves to introduce a sincere or frank statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts, although it may be less appropriate in highly formal writing. Its function is to emphasize truthfulness, and it is frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and business communication. While the phrase is effective for conveying sincerity, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive. Alternatives such as "to be honest" or "truthfully" can provide similar emphasis with different tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be honest

Shorter and more direct.

honestly speaking

Emphasizes the act of speaking honestly.

truthfully

A more formal synonym emphasizing accuracy.

frankly speaking

Highlights a candid and straightforward approach.

to tell you the truth

More conversational and indicates a revelation.

in truth

A more concise and slightly formal variant.

in all sincerity

Emphasizes the genuine nature of the statement.

genuinely

Focuses on the authentic feeling behind the words.

candidly

Highlights openness and lack of reservation.

upon my word

An older, more emphatic expression of truthfulness.

FAQs

How can I use "in all honesty" in a sentence?

You can use "in all honesty" to introduce a sincere or frank opinion. For example, "In all honesty, I didn't enjoy the movie as much as I expected."

What phrases are similar to "in all honesty"?

Similar phrases include "to be honest", "honestly speaking", and "truthfully". These phrases all convey a sense of sincerity or candor.

Is it appropriate to use "in all honesty" in formal writing?

While "in all honesty" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "in truth" or "in all sincerity" might be more suitable for highly formal contexts.

Can "in all honesty" be used at the end of a sentence?

While less common, "in all honesty" can be placed at the end of a sentence for emphasis, though it's generally more effective at the beginning. Example: "I didn't like it, in all honesty."