with complete honesty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with complete honesty" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the sincerity or truthfulness of a statement or action. Example: I want to apologize to you with complete honesty for my behavior last night. I was in the wrong and I hope you can forgive me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

She added: "I can't say with complete honesty what his ultimate vision would have been.

The New York Times

They may say "don't know" with complete honesty to a question put to them out of the blue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speaking for a non-French demographic of one person (myself), I can answer with complete honesty: no.

The Guardian - Opinion

Divo?" As for Lauer, she said, "I can tell you with complete honesty that my relationship with Matt hasn't changed at all.

The New Yorker

I want to record the way people talked and thought and felt, and to do it with complete honesty and variety.

The New Yorker

"Ah, the conversations between parents and children, the way they unfold, always with good intentions, rarely with complete honesty," she writes.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Did the handsome guy next to me influenced my decision, with his kindness, openness, complete honesty and transparency?

Huffington Post

In theory, complete honesty suffuses relationships with insurers, too.

The New York Times

We shared with complete genuine honesty where our lives had taken us, and I noted that nothing good truly gets away.

Huffington Post

Punishment, it turns out, never did humble some of us into complete honesty.

The New Yorker

Hence the complete honesty missing in most political memoirs; no bridge is left unburned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with complete honesty" to preface statements where you want to assure your audience of your sincerity and lack of hidden motives. It adds weight and credibility to your message.

Common error

Avoid starting every sentence or paragraph "with complete honesty". Overuse can make you sound defensive or insincere. Instead, vary your phrasing to maintain a natural and trustworthy tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with complete honesty" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a statement is made. As Ludwig AI indicates, this emphasizes sincerity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with complete honesty" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the sincerity of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its function in assuring audiences of the speaker's truthfulness. Though not exceedingly common, it appears consistently in reputable news sources and online encyclopedias, reflecting a neutral to slightly formal register. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to vary your language to avoid sounding repetitive or insincere. Related phrases like "to be perfectly honest" or "in all sincerity" can offer similar assurance without overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To be perfectly honest

A common introductory phrase signaling honesty.

In all honesty

Slightly less emphatic than "with complete honesty".

With absolute candor

Emphasizes openness and frankness.

To tell you the truth

A conversational way to introduce an honest statement.

With utmost sincerity

Stresses the depth of genuine feeling.

In all sincerity

Highlights the genuine nature of the statement.

In truth

A straightforward way to indicate a truthful statement.

In good faith

Focuses on the intention of honesty and fair dealing.

Frankly speaking

Implies a direct and unfiltered expression.

Candidly

A single word adverb expressing straightforward honesty.

FAQs

How can I use "with complete honesty" in a sentence?

You can use "with complete honesty" to introduce a statement that you want to emphasize as truthful and sincere. For example, "With complete honesty, I can say that I did not expect this outcome."

What are some alternatives to "with complete honesty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to be perfectly honest", "in all honesty", or "in truth", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "with complete honesty"?

While "honesty" inherently implies completeness, using "with complete honesty" can serve to underscore the speaker's sincerity, though it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive.

When is it appropriate to use "with complete honesty"?

It is appropriate to use "with complete honesty" when you want to reassure your audience of your sincerity, especially when conveying difficult or unexpected information. It can be helpful when addressing sensitive topics or correcting misunderstandings.