speaking candidly

USAGE SUMMARY

"speaking candidly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that what follows is an honest opinion or direct statement. For example, "Speaking candidly, I think the current policy should be revised."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Few energy experts, speaking candidly, see such an enormous increase as feasible.

The Economist

"Oh yeah, there's a lot of truth to that," Steinbrenner said, again speaking candidly.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Romney is not the first presidential candidate to be caught speaking candidly at a fund-raiser.

The New York Times

"It took awhile for me to get used to speaking candidly about my own life," she said.

The New York Times

Otherwise, the government said, witnesses could be discouraged from speaking candidly before grand juries in the future.

The New York Times

David Cameron has promised to be God's Dyno-Rod man in Whitehall after speaking candidly of seeking guidance in church.

The Times

This week, the Colts seem aware that there is almost nothing to be gained by speaking candidly about facing the Jets again under starkly different circumstances.

The New York Times

American officials say that foreign counterparts are sometimes more squeamish about speaking candidly, and that it is harder to recruit and retain informants around the world.

The New York Times

He can be seen in an affectionate 2004 documentary by Paul Cronin, also screening in the series, speaking candidly about his life and his programming philosophy.

The New York Times

She is able to instruct Romeo in the ways of speaking candidly and unaffectedly about their love rather than in the frayed cadences of the Petrarchan wooer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nonetheless, his role as a judicial candidate prevented him from speaking candidly about specific candidates, he explained by way of ground rules.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speaking candidly" to introduce a statement of personal belief or opinion, particularly when it might be unexpected or controversial. It signals honesty and directness.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "speaking candidly" in a single piece of writing. It can become repetitive and dilute its impact. Use synonyms like "frankly" or "honestly" to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaking candidly" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it sets the tone for an honest and direct expression of opinion or feeling. It modifies the sentence by indicating the manner in which the speaker is communicating.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speaking candidly" is a common adverbial phrase used to introduce an honest and direct statement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signals transparency and is frequently found in news, media, and formal business contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "speaking frankly" and "speaking honestly" can provide variety. Its primary function is to prepare the audience for a forthcoming opinion or revelation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speaking frankly

Similar to "speaking candidly", but emphasizes a more direct and potentially blunt manner of expression.

speaking honestly

Focuses specifically on truthfulness, whereas "speaking candidly" includes openness about one's views.

speaking openly

Highlights the lack of reservation in expressing oneself, which is a key aspect of speaking candidly.

speaking plainly

Emphasizes clarity and simplicity in communication, differing slightly from the emphasis on honesty in "speaking candidly".

speaking truthfully

Stresses accuracy and factuality, while "speaking candidly" includes personal opinions and feelings.

speaking freely

Focuses on the absence of constraints or inhibitions in expressing oneself.

speaking bluntly

Highlights a direct and perhaps unsentimental mode of speaking, more forceful than "speaking candidly".

speaking sincerely

Emphasizes genuineness in expression, which is part of being candid but is not the entire meaning.

speaking forthrightly

Implies directness and decisiveness, adding a level of assertiveness absent in "speaking candidly".

speaking overtly

Suggests openness and visibility in communication, referring more to how the message is delivered rather than the content's honesty.

FAQs

How can I use "speaking candidly" in a sentence?

"Speaking candidly" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate that you are about to express an honest or direct opinion. For example, "Speaking candidly, I don't think this plan will work".

What's the difference between "speaking candidly" and "speaking frankly"?

While both phrases imply honesty, "speaking frankly" suggests a more direct and possibly blunt manner, while "speaking candidly" implies a more open and sincere expression of thoughts. Therefore, while both have the intention of being honest, "speaking frankly" could be perceived as being less considerate of other's feeling.

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "speaking candidly"?

Using "speaking candidly" might be inappropriate in highly formal settings where a more diplomatic approach is necessary, or when addressing someone of significantly higher authority where directness could be misconstrued as disrespect.

What are some alternatives to "speaking candidly"?

Alternatives to "speaking candidly" include "speaking honestly", "speaking openly", or "to be honest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. You can also consider "frankly" or "truthfully".