to be honest

Meaning

This phrase is used to introduce a statement that is truthful, direct, or reveals your real opinion, especially when the truth might surprise, disappoint, or offend the listener. It is a very common way to sound polite while delivering a critique or admitting something.

Examples

• To be honest, I didn't really enjoy the movie we watched last night.

  To be honest, I didn't really enjoy the movie we watched last night.

• I don't think this color suits you, to be honest.

  I don't think this color suits you, to be honest.

• To be honest, I'm too tired to go out tonight.

  To be honest, I'm too tired to go out tonight.

• I've never liked sushi, to be honest.

  I've never liked sushi, to be honest.

• To be honest, I think we should start the project over.

  To be honest, I think we should start the project over.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ For being honest, I don't like this food.

  ✓ To be honest, I don't like this food.

  The fixed infinitive phrase is 'To be honest'. Do not translate literally from other languages that use 'for'.

• ✗ To be honestly, the test was very difficult.

  ✓ To be honest, the test was very difficult.

  Use the adjective 'honest' instead of the adverb 'honestly' inside this fixed conversational formula.

Related Expressions

Practice

• ___, I think your old phone was better.

  💡 introducing a frank opinion

  Show answer

  To be honest

• I don't really want to go to the party, ___.

  💡 admitting the truth politely

  Show answer

  to be honest