in complete honesty

USAGE SUMMARY

"in complete honesty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that you are being sincere and honest about a particular statement. For example, "In complete honesty, I don't think this project is going to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

(As he says, "In complete honesty, I am still working on that").

The New York Times - Books

"In complete honesty, when I was governor [of Georgia] I was not nearly as concerned about the unfairness of the application of the death penalty as I am now.

The Guardian

I wrote the above two paragraphs in complete honesty.

Huffington Post

In complete honesty, the sight of his leg on that evening literally made me sick to my stomach.

Huffington Post

Even if you're acting in complete honesty and good faith, if your mistake is unreasonable, you get treated as a murderer.

Vice

I answered in complete honesty: where I'm from, what I do, how I am interested in exploring the absolute edges of faith and spirituality, and that it's something I do for fun and also take very seriously.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Punishment, it turns out, never did humble some of us into complete honesty.

The New Yorker

In theory, complete honesty suffuses relationships with insurers, too.

The New York Times

Oscar Luigi Scalfaro was a Catholic politician whose anachronistic virtues, in particular his complete honesty and his commitment to the constitution, came to Italy's rescue during the gravest political crisis of the post-war era, the corruption scandal which erupted in 1993.

Independent

Anyway, in the spirit of complete honesty, here are 10 statements about Mr Gervais, five of which are false.

The Guardian

In the spirit of complete honesty, I have to admit I don't really know how best to write about "Drag Race" this week.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context: While generally acceptable, be mindful that overly frequent use may dilute its impact or sound insincere. Use the phrase sparingly.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "in complete honesty" within a short span of writing. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less genuine. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "to be frank" or "honestly speaking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in complete honesty" functions as a discourse marker or sentence adverbial. According to Ludwig AI, it emphasizes sincerity and truthfulness, typically introducing a statement that might be surprising or require assurance. Its use signals a commitment to being forthright.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in complete honesty" is a phrase used to emphasize sincerity and assure an audience of one's truthfulness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. While grammatically correct and acceptable, it's best used judiciously to maintain its impact. Common contexts include news, media, and wiki articles. Related phrases include "in all honesty" and "to be perfectly honest". Overusing this phrase can diminish its effectiveness, so it is more appropriate to vary word choices and use it only when it can add emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in all honesty

Slightly more informal and common, focusing on general honesty.

to be perfectly honest

Emphasizes a high degree of truthfulness, often used to preface a potentially critical statement.

in truth

A more direct and simple way of asserting honesty.

honestly speaking

Highlights the act of speaking truthfully at the moment.

frankly

Suggests a straightforward and open manner of communication.

to tell you the truth

Indicates a revelation of something previously unsaid or potentially surprising.

in all sincerity

Focuses on the genuineness and depth of feeling behind the statement.

candidly

Implies a lack of reservation and a willingness to share openly.

truthfully

A simple adverbial form emphasizing the truthfulness of the statement.

in good faith

Highlights honesty and integrity, particularly in actions or agreements.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "in complete honesty" in a sentence?

Start by placing "in complete honesty" at the beginning of your sentence to emphasize the sincerity of your statement. For example: "In complete honesty, I don't think that's a good idea."

Are there any synonyms for "in complete honesty" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "in all honesty", "to be perfectly honest", or "frankly" depending on the context.

Is "in complete honesty" too formal for casual conversations?

While "in complete honesty" can be used in various contexts, it may sound slightly formal for very casual settings. In such cases, consider using "honestly" or "to be honest" instead.

What is the difference between "in complete honesty" and "in all honesty"?

The phrases "in complete honesty" and "in all honesty" are quite similar and often interchangeable. However, "in complete honesty" might suggest a slightly stronger emphasis on sincerity and thoroughness than "in all honesty".