to be blunt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be blunt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone wants to express their thoughts or opinions in a direct and straightforward manner, often without concern for politeness. Example: "To be blunt, I think your proposal lacks the necessary details to be effective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm going to be blunt.

The New York Times

This, to be blunt, sucked.

The Guardian - Arts

I was, to be blunt, a mess.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm not afraid to be blunt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To be blunt: he traced from photographs.

The New York Times - Arts

He thought he had to be blunt.

The New York Times - Magazine

To be blunt, we went down that road in Iraq.

The New York Times

To be blunt, TV reaches places that our ambassadors can't.

The Guardian

To be blunt, we wanted to make a hit.

The New York Times

And, to be blunt, NBC needs a hit.

The New York Times - Arts

How much, to be blunt, should we be enjoying ourselves?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be blunt" when you want to express a potentially unpopular or critical opinion directly, without softening the message. It signals to the reader that you are prioritizing clarity over diplomacy.

Common error

Avoid using "to be blunt" excessively, as it can come across as aggressive or insensitive if not balanced with empathy and consideration for the audience. Reserve it for situations where directness is truly necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be blunt" functions as a discourse marker or pragmatic marker. It signals the speaker's intention to be direct and straightforward, even if the statement might be perceived as harsh or impolite. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be blunt" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to introduce a direct and potentially critical statement. Ludwig AI validates this. It's frequently found in news and media contexts. While it's generally considered neutral, it's important to use it judiciously, being mindful of the audience and context to avoid sounding overly harsh. Alternatives such as "to be frank" or "to be honest" can be used in more sensitive situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be frank

Replaces "blunt" with "frank", emphasizing honesty and candor.

to be honest

Substitutes "blunt" with "honest", highlighting sincerity and truthfulness.

in all candor

Replaces the phrase with a more formal expression emphasizing sincerity.

to be perfectly clear

Emphasizes absolute clarity and leaves no room for misinterpretation.

to put it simply

Offers a less aggressive way to introduce a direct statement.

in plain language

Indicates the intention to avoid jargon and use straightforward terms.

if I may be so bold

Adds a touch of politeness while still preparing for a direct statement.

let's be clear

Shifts the focus to clarity and mutual understanding.

without pulling punches

Emphasizes the absence of any softening or sugarcoating of the message.

to call a spade a spade

Uses an idiom to express the intent to speak directly and truthfully, even if it's unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "to be blunt" in a sentence?

"To be blunt" is typically used to preface a statement, indicating that you are about to express a direct or potentially critical opinion. For example, "To be blunt, I think your proposal needs more work."

What are some alternatives to "to be blunt"?

You can use alternatives like "to be frank", "to be honest", or "to put it simply" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to be blunt"?

It's appropriate when you need to convey a direct message, especially if it might be perceived negatively. Use it judiciously to avoid being seen as overly harsh or insensitive.

Is "to be blunt" considered rude?

It can be perceived as rude if used without considering the audience or context. While it signals directness, it may be better to use gentler alternatives like "to be honest" or "let's be clear" in sensitive situations.