Cool MateFrankly vs Honestly vs Openly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Frankly
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Honestly
Top 1,000 (very common)
Openly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Most common: Honestly
| Frankly | Honestly | Openly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfræŋkli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfræŋkli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈɒnɪstli//🇺🇸 //ˈɑnɪstli// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈəʊpənli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈəʊpənli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Honestly or directly. | In a truthful way. | In a way that is clear and free to see or know. |
| Example | He spoke frankly about the ordeal. | Honestly, I didn't know what to say. | Can you talk openly about sex with your parents? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | speak frankly, frankly speaking, respond frankly | speak honestly, honestly admit, honestly say | speak openly, discuss openly, express feelings openly |
| Antonyms | deceptively, insincerely, dishonestly | dishonestly, insincerely | secretly, covertly, privately |
| Common mistakes | Used in questions when it should be a statement., Confused with 'frank' as an adjective., Overused in casual settings. | Confused with 'honestly speaking'—don't overuse it., Using it in overly formal contexts can sound odd., Sometimes placed incorrectly in a sentence. | Confusing with 'open' as an adjective., Using it in a sarcastic tone by mistake., Not realizing it can mean without secrecy. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Used to emphasize truthfulness, often at the beginning of a sentence. Suitable in both casual and formal contexts. | Use 'openly' when describing actions or feelings that are shared clearly with others. It can be less appropriate in formal contexts where discretion is valued. |
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Frequently asked questions: Frankly vs Honestly vs Openly
What's the difference between Frankly, Honestly, and Openly?
Frankly: Honestly or directly. Honestly: In a truthful way. Openly: In a way that is clear and free to see or know.
Which is more common: Frankly, Honestly, and Openly?
Honestly is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Frankly, Honestly, and Openly?
Frankly is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Frankly: He spoke frankly about the ordeal. Honestly: Honestly, I didn't know what to say. Openly: Can you talk openly about sex with your parents?
Can I use Frankly, Honestly, and Openly interchangeably?
Not always. Frankly, Honestly, and Openly 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.