perfectly sincere

USAGE SUMMARY

"perfectly sincere" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is completely honest and genuine in their feelings or statements. Example: "She was perfectly sincere when she apologized for her mistake." Alternative expressions include "entirely genuine" and "completely honest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Mr. Rauschenberg is perfectly sincere.

The New York Times - Arts

Well, it may be perfectly sincere.

The Economist

It may be perfectly sincere, but it is nevertheless nonsensical.

The New Yorker

Not that my saying so will convince anyone, but I was perfectly sincere.

The New York Times

Their declarations of love are, in the moment, perfectly sincere, but also woefully inadequate.

The New York Times

I'm sure that Javid is perfectly sincere in his statement of affinity for the Windrush migrants.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Sincere appreciation sincerely expressed.

Forbes

Indeed, Bun-B's "true" and "real" perfectly parallel Trilling's words "sincere" and "authentic," but in an utterly transformed cultural universe.

Huffington Post

A sincere expression of sympathy is perfectly appropriate.

Huffington Post

I know he can't always plan perfectly, and it's been a few months, but he seems so sincere, I just know he'll come through this time".

Huffington Post

When I walked into Han Kjobenhavn last week, from the back of the narrow store Kasper — thin, good tattoos, perfectly shaped beard, phenomenal accent — shouted, "What's up, man?" in a disarmingly sincere manner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place this phrase before a noun or as a predicative adjective after a linking verb, such as 'he was perfectly sincere' or 'a perfectly sincere apology'.

Common error

Do not pair this phrase with other intensive adverbs like 'very' or 'truly' (e.g. 'very perfectly sincere'). The word 'perfectly' already indicates a maximum degree, so additional modifiers make the sentence clunky and grammatically redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""perfectly sincere"" functions as an intensified adjective phrase where the adverb 'perfectly' acts as a degree modifier for the adjective 'sincere'. According to Ludwig, it is primarily used to eliminate any doubt about the subject's honesty or lack of irony in their statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase ""perfectly sincere"" is a well-established and reliable expression used to affirm that a person's words or actions are entirely honest and free from deceit. Ludwig AI shows that this combination is particularly favored in high-quality journalism and legal or academic contexts where distinguishing between irony and genuine intent is crucial. Whether you are describing a political speech, a personal apology or a piece of art, this phrase provides a strong level of emphasis that simple adjectives like 'sincere' might lack. By using it, writers can effectively reassure their readers of a subject's credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely genuine

Provides a slightly more formal tone and is often used to describe feelings or objects

utterly sincere

Increases the intensity of the statement and suggests a complete lack of irony

completely honest

A very common alternative that focuses specifically on truthfulness rather than just emotional intent

perfectly honest

Directly replaces the adjective with a synonym, maintaining the exact adverbial structure

thoroughly authentic

Focuses on the quality of being original or true to oneself

wholly earnest

Emphasizes the seriousness and depth of the person's conviction

truly heartfelt

More emotional and typically used for expressions of sympathy, thanks or apologies

absolutely candid

Suggests a frank and straightforward manner of speaking without holding back

genuinely earnest

Adds an extra layer of validation to the subject's serious intent

quite sincere

A slightly softer version that is less intensive than perfectly

FAQs

How to use "perfectly sincere" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's character or a specific action. For example, "The diplomat's efforts to reach a peace agreement were "perfectly sincere" and well-received by both parties."

What can I say instead of "perfectly sincere"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "entirely genuine", "completely honest", or "utterly sincere" to convey the same meaning.

Is "perfectly sincere" considered formal English?

Yes, it is suitable for formal and professional contexts. It is frequently used in high-quality publications like The New Yorker and The Economist to describe political figures or public statements.

What is the difference between "perfectly sincere" and "genuinely earnest"?

While both emphasize truthfulness, "genuinely earnest" focuses more on the seriousness and intensity of the effort, whereas "perfectly sincere" focuses on the total lack of deceit.