Frankly means honestly and directly; at the start of a sentence it means to be honest: Frankly, I don't think we can finish by Monday. It usually warns that an unwelcome opinion is coming. Quite frankly is even more direct, often with irritation. Speak frankly means talk openly: she spoke frankly about her mistakes.
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Frankly, + direct opinion; speak / discuss something frankly; quite frankly
- Frankly, I don't think we can finish this by Monday.
- She spoke frankly about the mistakes in the first design.
- Quite frankly, your explanation made the whole problem much easier to understand.
What changed
First versionHe spoke frank about why the project failed.
RevisionHe spoke frankly about why the project failed.
Frank and frankly look so close that the adjective easily slips in after the verb. But spoke describes how someone talked, and for that you need an adverb: spoke frankly. Frank goes before a noun: a frank answer.
Honestly means truthfully, sometimes with surprise or annoyance: Honestly, what were you thinking? Frankly is a direct judgement with no softening. To be honest means the same as frankly but sounds softer and longer; in messages it's shortened to TBH.
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We need to discuss the problem ___.
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frankly — You need the adverb frankly: it says how to discuss the problem. Frank would fit before a noun: a frank discussion.
Say directly but politely what's wrong with a travel or project plan. Start with Frankly and give the reason.
Frankly, the schedule is too tight because the testing alone will take two days.
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