was honest enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was honest enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was sufficiently truthful or candid in a particular situation. Example: "Despite the difficult circumstances, she was honest enough to admit her mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

He was honest enough to admit as much later.

The Guardian - Sport

"Mike was honest enough to pull himself from the Irish game and everyone looks after player.

Independent

McCoist was honest enough to admit relief at still being in the Scottish Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

"Unlike the others, he was honest enough to admit that he simply didn't want them around".

The New York Times - Sports

Hewitt, 28, was honest enough to surmise: "I couldn't take my chances when I needed to".

Independent

But Hill was honest enough to acknowledge that the hype was silly.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Neither has Jeremy Corbyn – as he's honest enough to admit".

Independent

Are charities being honest enough about their work in Somalia?

The Guardian

Fernando is honest enough to emphasize the "now".

The New York Times

How many of them are honest enough to be unafraid of an investigation?

The Guardian - Opinion

Few would be honest enough to admit the initial motivation was tax avoidance.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was honest enough", ensure the context clearly establishes what the person was being honest about. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was honest enough" when the situation doesn't genuinely involve honesty or truthfulness. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make it seem insincere if applied indiscriminately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was honest enough" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, highlighting their capacity for truthfulness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct. It often introduces a clause explaining what the subject admitted or revealed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was honest enough" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase used to highlight an individual's commendable honesty. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is frequently encountered in news and media, and to a lesser extent, in formal business contexts. The phrase implies that the person in question displayed integrity, often in a challenging situation. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what the subject was honest about to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "was sufficiently truthful" or "had the integrity to admit" can be used depending on the nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was sufficiently truthful

Replaces "honest enough" with a more formal and straightforward expression of being truthful.

had the integrity to admit

Focuses on the moral aspect of honesty and the act of admitting something.

was candid enough to reveal

Highlights the openness and directness of the revelation.

was genuine in admitting

highlights the authenticity and lack of pretense in the admission.

possessed the frankness to disclose

Emphasizes the straightforwardness and willingness to share information.

was forthright in acknowledging

Focuses on a direct and unambiguous acknowledgment.

showed the courage to confess

Highlights the bravery required to admit something, particularly something difficult.

demonstrated the sincerity to say

Emphasizes the genuine nature of the statement.

owned up to the truth

Emphasizes taking responsibility for the truth

bit the bullet and admitted

Emphasizes reluctantly admitting something difficult or unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "was honest enough" in a sentence?

You can use "was honest enough" to describe someone who admitted something truthfully, especially when it might have been difficult to do so. For example: "Despite the pressure, he "was honest enough" to admit his mistake."

What are some alternatives to "was honest enough"?

Alternatives include "was sufficiently truthful", "had the integrity to admit", or "was candid enough to reveal" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was honest enough" or "was sufficiently honest"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "was honest enough" often implies a degree of surprise or commendation for their honesty, whereas "was sufficiently honest" is a more neutral statement.

What does it mean when someone "was honest enough to admit" something?

It means the person displayed integrity and truthfulness by acknowledging something, often something that could be detrimental to them. It suggests that admitting the truth required courage or a willingness to be vulnerable.