“Honestly” vs “To be honest”: correct usage

English tip # 1: “Honestly” vs “to be honest”

Have you ever wondered if you are using a word or phrase loosely? Just because you think you are familiar with a word or phrase does not mean you are using it correctly. You should also consider that just because you know what you are saying does not mean others understand you the way you want them to. Here, we are going to learn the correct usage of “honestly” vs “to be honest”.

These two phrases may sound very similar, and even some people might use them in the place of each other. However, if you want to sound more natural in your speaking English, you should be mindful of such tiny differences.

What is the difference?

“Honestly” is used when you are trying to say something is true. On the other hand, “to be honest” is used when you are trying to give your opinion about something.

Look at this example to understand the difference between “honestly” vs “to be honest”:

Imagine your friend is buying a car. He has two options: the blue car and the red car.

Your friend asks you which car is better. You say:

“Honestly, the blue car is old and small. I know the red one is more expensive, but to be honest with you, red cars are flashy; I don’t like them very much”.

For the first part, when you say,” the blue car is old and small”, it is true. So, you should use the phrase “honestly”. For the second part, you are expressing your opinion about red cars. That is why for the second part, it is better to use the phrase “to be honest”.

Although you might see some people do not pay attention to these details, you should consider that the proper use of a language is always beneficial.

For more English tips, go to our blog post’s page and start reading. Never forget that reading is a more powerful tool than browsing social media to learn English.