Cool MateFrankly vs To be honest
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Frankly
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
To be honest
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Frankly
| Frankly | To be honest | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfræŋkli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfræŋkli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tə biː ˈɒnɪst//🇺🇸 //tə bi ˈhɑnəst// |
| Meaning | Honestly or directly. | Saying the truth or what you really think. |
| Example | He spoke frankly about the ordeal. | To be honest, I didn’t really enjoy the movie. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | speak frankly, frankly speaking, respond frankly | to be honest with you, to be honest, I think, to be honest about |
| Antonyms | deceptively, insincerely, dishonestly | - |
| Common mistakes | Used in questions when it should be a statement., Confused with 'frank' as an adjective., Overused in casual settings. | Using it too frequently can sound disingenuous., Confusing it with more formal phrases like 'frankly speaking'. |
| 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. | Use 'to be honest' to express your true feelings. It's informal and often used in conversations, but avoid in formal settings. |
Frequently asked questions: Frankly vs To be honest
What's the difference between Frankly and To be honest?
Frankly: Honestly or directly. To be honest: Saying the truth or what you really think.
Which is more formal: Frankly and To be honest?
Frankly is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Frankly: He spoke frankly about the ordeal. To be honest: To be honest, I didn’t really enjoy the movie.
Can I use Frankly and To be honest interchangeably?
Not always. Frankly and To be honest 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.