not as forthcoming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as forthcoming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not as open or willing to share information as expected. Example: "During the meeting, she was not as forthcoming with her opinions as she usually is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Your disclosure is not as forthcoming as it should be".

The New York Times

Although the company is not as forthcoming as it might be about the background of Ren Zhengfei, its founder, he is not the princeling scion of an elite family.

The Economist

While the United States was not as forthcoming as it might have been, the Soviet refusal to allow on-site inspection would frustrate disarmament for the next 40 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What happens, there are times when the audience is really raring to go, and there are times when they're not reticent but not as forthcoming as I would like.

The Washington Post

While Manuel apologized, he also said Church deserved some of the blame for how his treatment was bungled because he was not as forthcoming as the Mets needed him to be.

The New York Times - Sports

R. Paul Herman, who created the Human Impact + Profit Index, which goes by the acronym HIP, does not rate Google as highly because, in his view, the company is not as forthcoming as its competitors about its business practices, namely issues related to employee pay, retention rates and diversity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Te'o responded: "I wasn't as forthcoming as I should have been but I didn't lie.

The New York Times

Others, such as the owner of a stash of old Jewish-deli menus, weren't as forthcoming.

The New Yorker

But as Nasdaq/ICE is fond of pointing out, synergies from the NYSE-Euronext merger weren't as forthcoming as promised.

The New York Times

Earlier bloggers who worked for PayPerPost reviewing small-fry firms like National Lampoon's dvd Club weren't as forthcoming.

Forbes

But as I got older, the work wasn't as forthcoming.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not as forthcoming", ensure the context clearly establishes the expected level of openness or transparency for comparison. It's effective for pointing out discrepancies between expected and actual behavior.

Common error

While "not as forthcoming" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your language sound vague. Replace with stronger, more specific terms like "less transparent" or "more reserved" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as forthcoming" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a relative lack of openness or willingness to provide information. Examples show it modifying nouns to indicate a deficiency in expected disclosure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not as forthcoming" is a versatile way to express a deficiency in expected openness or transparency. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Usage analysis reveals it's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, indicating a critical assessment of information flow. While "not as forthcoming" is useful in many situations, it's essential to consider more specific alternatives like ""less transparent"" or ""more reserved"" for greater precision. Remember to always provide context when using the phrase to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as forthcoming with details

Specifies that the lack of openness pertains to specific details.

not as transparent

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and openness in revealing information.

less communicative

Focuses more on the act of communicating rather than willingness to provide information.

less open

A broader term suggesting a general lack of willingness to share or reveal information.

less revealing

Focuses on the degree to which information is disclosed or brought to light.

not as candid

Highlights a lack of frankness or honesty in the information provided.

less inclined to share

Emphasizes the unwillingness or reluctance to share information.

more reserved

Suggests a restrained or cautious approach in sharing information.

not as informative

Indicates that the information provided is lacking in detail or substance.

more tight-lipped

Suggests a deliberate withholding of information, often indicating secrecy.

FAQs

How can I use "not as forthcoming" in a sentence?

You can use "not as forthcoming" to describe someone or something that is less open or communicative than expected. For example, "The company was "not as forthcoming" with details about the data breach as the public hoped".

What are some alternatives to "not as forthcoming"?

Alternatives to "not as forthcoming" include "less transparent", "more reserved", or "less communicative". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not as forthcoming" or "less forthcoming"?

"Not as forthcoming" and "less forthcoming" are generally interchangeable, but "not as forthcoming" may imply a comparison to a specific expectation, whereas "less forthcoming" simply indicates a lower degree of openness.

What does it mean when someone is "not as forthcoming"?

When someone is "not as forthcoming", it means they are "less open" or willing to share information or details than what is expected or desired. This can be due to various reasons, such as privacy concerns, strategic considerations, or a lack of knowledge.