Directly vs Frankly

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Directly

Top 2,000 (common) B1 adverb

Frankly

Top 2,000 (common) C1 adverb

	Directly	Frankly
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/dəˈrektli//daɪˈrektli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/dəˈrektli//daɪˈrektli/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈfræŋkli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈfræŋkli/"]/
Meaning	In a straight manner or with no delays.	Honestly or directly.
Example	I will directly address your concerns during the meeting.	He spoke frankly about the ordeal.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	B1	C1
Part of speech	adverb	adverb
Collocations	speak directly, respond directly, move directly, address directly, contact directly	speak frankly, frankly speaking, respond frankly
Antonyms	indirectly, circuitously	deceptively, insincerely, dishonestly
Common mistakes	Using 'directly' incorrectly with indirect objects., Confusing 'directly' with 'indirectly'., Overusing 'directly' in contexts where it is not needed.	Used in questions when it should be a statement., Confused with 'frank' as an adjective., Overused in casual settings.
Usage notes	Use 'directly' to emphasize straightforward communication or action. It fits well in both casual and professional conversations, but avoid it in overly emotional language.	Use 'frankly' when you want to express your honest opinion. It's often used in more serious conversations and might be considered too direct for very formal contexts.

See it in real clips

Chill them niggers out and wait for the cavalry, which should be coming directly."

Breaking Bad › S1 E5

said they usually bill the insurance company directly.

Bit me directly in the buttocks.

Chill them niggers out and wait for the cavalry, which should be coming directly."

Breaking Bad › S1 E5

said they usually bill the insurance company directly.

Directly

We're tight but frankly, there's a lot of windows up here.

Frankly, I don't see how you can vote for acquittal.

Sherlock › S1 E1

- No. No, he wasn't, really, was he? - Frankly, a bloody awful cabbie.

We're tight but frankly, there's a lot of windows up here.

Frankly, I don't see how you can vote for acquittal.

Frankly

Frequently asked questions: Directly vs Frankly

What's the difference between Directly and Frankly?

Directly: In a straight manner or with no delays. Frankly: Honestly or directly.

Which is more advanced: Directly and Frankly?

Frankly is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Directly and Frankly the same CEFR level?

Directly: B1, Frankly: C1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Directly and Frankly?

Directly: adverb, Frankly: adverb.

Can you show an example of each?

Directly: I will directly address your concerns during the meeting. Frankly: He spoke frankly about the ordeal.

Can I use Directly and Frankly interchangeably?

Not always. Directly and Frankly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.