truthfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "truthfully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that what you are saying is honest or accurate. Example: "Truthfully, I didn't expect to win the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've answered a question there as truthfully as I could and that was taken in a certain way and reported in a certain way.

The Guardian - Sport

It stopped short of accusing Ahern of corruption, but said he failed to "truthfully account" for sources of money he lodged in his bank account when he was finance minister in the 1990s.

The Guardian

It said he had failed to "truthfully account" for sums amounting to 250,000 Irish punts received between 1993 and 1995.

The Guardian

"Truthfully, my health has really struggled over the last four years," the 33-year-old wrote in a post on her website.

The Guardian - Sport

This person has thought truthfully about what they're doing at this point and if you can make that work with your cameras, the lighting and all the other hoo-hah that's going on then you're gonna get a great performance.

The Guardian - Film

"Swimming's no problem," I answered, more or less truthfully.

The Guardian

A positive result, although truthfully anything less would have been a disaster against what is probably the worst team in the league.

The Guardian - Sport

The permutations are endless, but if the answer is no, the dilemma remains: do you answer truthfully and risk losing the gig, or assure them of your proficiency and hope for the best?

The Guardian

The only reward is that the winner can then truthfully claim to have written (at least a few words) for The Economist.

The Economist

The question can be answered, and truthfully answered, with abstractions, as it was admirably done by the Prime Minister on Sunday.

The Economist

Of the several hundred people who responded to my poll, less than 10% said they would answer truthfully and admit to gun ownership.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truthfully" to emphasize the veracity of a statement, especially when addressing potential doubt or skepticism. This adds weight and credibility to your assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "truthfully" excessively in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal or even imply that other statements might be less truthful. Opt for alternatives like "honestly" or "really" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "truthfully" functions primarily as an intensifier, emphasizing the veracity and accuracy of a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it assures the audience of the speaker's commitment to truth. Its role is to strengthen the claim being made, conveying honesty and sincerity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "truthfully" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize the accuracy and sincerity of a statement. While generally correct, its overuse in informal contexts should be avoided, as Ludwig AI points out. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business writing, lending credibility and transparency to the communication. Alternatives like "honestly" and "frankly" offer subtle differences in nuance. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "truthfully" to enhance the impact and trustworthiness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Honestly

Focuses on the speaker's integrity and sincerity.

In all honesty

Emphasizes a commitment to frankness and candor.

Candidly

Highlights openness and a lack of reservation in speaking.

Frankly

Directly conveys a straightforward and unbiased perspective.

To be honest

Introduces a statement that might be contrary to expectations or previous assumptions.

In truth

Underscores the factual accuracy of a statement.

Veraciously

Stresses accuracy and adherence to the facts.

Genuinely

Conveys authenticity and sincerity in expression.

In reality

Contrasts with a perceived or assumed state of affairs.

Without prevarication

Highlights the absence of evasion or hedging in a statement.

FAQs

How can I use "truthfully" in a sentence?

You can use "truthfully" to emphasize the honesty of a statement, as in "I can "truthfully say" I have never seen such a thing".

What phrases are similar to "truthfully"?

Similar phrases include "honestly", "frankly", and "genuinely", each carrying a slightly different nuance of sincerity.

When is it appropriate to use "truthfully"?

Use "truthfully" when you want to assure your audience of your sincerity, especially when the situation requires a high degree of transparency or when addressing potential skepticism. As Ludwig AI suggests, is better to use "honestly" or "really" in informal settings.

Is there a difference between "truthfully" and "honestly"?

While both words convey sincerity, "truthfully" places more emphasis on the factual accuracy of a statement, while "honestly" highlights the speaker's integrity and genuineness.