frankly
frankly — adverb
1. in a way that shows what you truly think, without hiding your feelings or trying
in a way that shows what you truly think, without hiding your feelings or trying to be polite.
Hugo spoke frankly about his struggles with anxiety during the team meeting.
spoke frankly about [topic]
The nurse asked Imran to answer frankly about how many cigarettes he smoked each day.
adverbial position after verb: answer frankly about
Folake appreciated that her doctor told her frankly that she needed to change her diet.
The two leaders discussed frankly the problems that had divided their countries for years.
- honestly
more general; can describe both manner and character, while frankly focuses on directness of speech
- candidly
slightly more formal; implies openness about something difficult or personal
- openly
suggests transparency and willingness to share without hiding anything
- directly
emphasises going straight to the point, possibly at the cost of politeness
- dishonestly
opposite meaning — hiding the truth
- evasively
opposite in communication style — avoiding the topic deliberately
文法句型
frankly modifies a verb of communication
[verb] + frankly about + [topic]
用法筆記
Typically used with verbs of communication: speak, talk, answer, discuss, tell, admit, and reply. The adverb follows the verb or comes between the verb and its object.
常見錯誤
2. used when you want to make it clear that you are expressing your true opinion, e
used when you want to make it clear that you are expressing your true opinion, especially when that opinion could upset or annoy the person hearing it.
Frankly, I think Esteban's proposal has too many problems to be worth considering.
Frankly, + [full clause], introducing a negative opinion
Frankly, Mira doesn't care whether her neighbours approve of her new hairstyle or not.
The movie was, frankly, a complete waste of time and money from start to finish.
Frankly, I'm surprised Léa agreed to help after how they treated her last year.
- honestly
can replace frankly in most sentence-adverb uses, but is slightly less direct about the risk of offending
- to be honest
a more conversational, slightly softer equivalent; often used in everyday speech
- truthfully
emphasises factual accuracy rather than blunt directness
文法句型
Frankly, + [clause]
[clause], frankly, [rest of clause]
用法筆記
This is a sentence adverb (or speaker attitude marker). Unlike sense 1, it modifies the whole statement, not a single verb. It signals that the speaker is making an honest — often critical or uncomfortable — remark. Commonly appears at the start of a sentence or set off by commas.