real honesty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "real honesty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the authenticity or genuineness of someone's honesty or truthfulness. Example: "In our relationship, I value real honesty above all else; it builds trust and understanding between us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Arts

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Real honesty.

The New Yorker

I'm laying the groundwork for real honesty.

The New Yorker

"Ultimately, I'm not sure that real honesty is about telling the truth all the time.

The New York Times - Style

"There was a real honesty to the clothing," says the designer, who sees "the coat as a centerpiece".

The New York Times

Unless there's a real honesty and articulateness that isn't about clamouring for fame then all this is meaningless.

The Guardian - Film

They are invited to ask questions and they bravely contribute throughout, but the hall is too big and the numbers too great for any real honesty.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But this play confirms that beneath the packaging, the snarling good looks and posing, there lay real integrity, honesty and passion.

The Guardian - Music

"The two things were in such contrast - the real, absolute honesty I was dealing with while I was writing [to Wuornos], and these emails I was getting from the business side, saying, 'We can get these really hot chicks' and whatever.

The Guardian - Film

They have a real unguarded honesty to them".

Wikipedia

Everyone knows the cornerstone of keeping it real is honesty.

Huffington Post

It may be that none of this real-narrative-honesty-v.-sham-narrative-honesty stuff can even be talked about up front".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "real honesty" to emphasize a deeper level of truthfulness that goes beyond mere factual accuracy, suggesting a genuine and heartfelt expression.

Common error

Avoid using "real honesty" when simply "honesty" suffices. The addition of "real" should only be used when you want to specifically highlight the genuine and authentic nature of the honesty, not as a default descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real honesty" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "real" modifies the noun "honesty". It serves to emphasize the genuineness and authenticity of the honesty being described. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "real honesty" is a valid and commonly used phrase to emphasize the authenticity and genuineness of honesty. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It functions as a noun phrase, often found in news and media contexts, aiming to highlight sincerity. While grammatically correct, avoid redundancy by only using it when you intend to specifically emphasize authentic truthfulness. Consider alternatives like "genuine sincerity" or "true candor" for similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honest authenticity

Highlights the authentic nature of honesty.

veritable honesty

Emphasizes that the honesty is genuine and not false.

authentic truthfulness

Emphasizes the genuineness of being truthful.

unfeigned honesty

Highlights the lack of pretense in the honesty.

true candor

Replaces "honesty" with "candor", highlighting frankness and openness.

unvarnished truth

Emphasizes truth without embellishment.

genuine sincerity

Shifts focus from truthfulness to the authenticity of feeling.

sincere frankness

Combines genuineness with open communication.

forthright integrity

Combines directness with moral principles.

deep integrity

Moves beyond simple truth-telling to moral soundness.

FAQs

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

You can use "real honesty" to emphasize the genuine and authentic nature of someone's truthfulness, as in "In our relationship, I value "real honesty" above all else".

What are some alternatives to "real honesty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "genuine sincerity", "true candor", or "authentic truthfulness", which all emphasize the authenticity of the truth being conveyed.

Is "real honesty" redundant? Can I just use "honesty"?

While "honesty" alone is often sufficient, ""real honesty"" is used for emphasis. It highlights that the honesty is genuine, heartfelt and without pretense. If you intend to emphasize, then it is not redundant.

What's the difference between ""real honesty"" and "brutal honesty"?

"Real honesty" focuses on the authenticity and genuineness of the truth, while "brutal honesty" refers to truthfulness that is direct and possibly harsh or insensitive. Brutal honesty prioritizes truth-telling, even if it causes discomfort.