to be frank

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be frank" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to preface an honest opinion or statement you are about to make. For example, "To be frank, I don't think this plan is going to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I need to be frank".

The New York Times

To be frank, humiliation is relative.

The New York Times

To be frank, they got caught.

The New York Times - Tech

They look, to be frank, terrifying.

Independent

To be frank, it's not for everybody.

The New York Times - Magazine

And fair enough, to be frank.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have to be frank," Stoltenberg said.

The Washington Post

"But to be frank, I am sad.

The New York Times

We were, to be frank, lucky.

The Guardian

AR: To be frank, not really.

The Guardian

Its recommendations are, to be frank, pathetic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place "to be frank" at the beginning of a sentence to clearly signal your intention to be candid.

Common error

Avoid using "to be frank" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or insincere. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "to be honest" or "candidly speaking" to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be frank" functions as a discourse marker, specifically an adverbial phrase used to signal a shift in tone towards greater candor. Ludwig AI confirms that it introduces a statement that might be considered direct or even blunt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be frank" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a candid statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, academic, and professional settings, making it a versatile choice for expressing honesty. While it is generally well-received, overuse should be avoided to prevent sounding repetitive or insincere. Consider alternatives like "to be honest" or "candidly speaking" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be honest

A more general phrase indicating truthfulness, similar but slightly less emphatic than the query.

quite frankly

Emphasizes directness, carrying a tone that may be perceived as slightly more assertive.

if I'm being honest

Acknowledges a potential hesitation or vulnerability in sharing the honest opinion.

in all honesty

Highlights the speaker's integrity and sincerity in delivering the message.

to tell you the truth

Suggests a revelation of information that may not have been previously disclosed.

candidly speaking

Emphasizes the manner of speaking, focusing on the directness and honesty being employed.

let's be honest

Invites the listener to share in an honest assessment, making it more collaborative.

truthfully

A simple adverb that introduces a truthful statement directly.

to put it plainly

Focuses on clarity and simplicity in expression, often used when the truth may be unpleasant.

in truth

More formal, emphasizing the reality or factual nature of what is being said.

FAQs

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

"To be frank" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a candid or honest statement. For instance, "To be frank, I don't think that's a good idea."

What are some alternatives to "to be frank"?

You can use alternatives such as "to be honest", "candidly speaking", or "in all honesty", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "to be frank" or "to be honest"?

Both "to be frank" and "to be honest" are acceptable, but "to be frank" often implies a slightly stronger or more direct expression of opinion. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "to be frank"?

While generally acceptable, using "to be frank" might be inappropriate in highly formal situations where extreme tact is required. Consider whether a more subtle approach might be better received.