AEE - Honestly, It's Best to Be Upfront in English

Summary

In this engaging podcast episode, the hosts Michelle and Lindsay delve into the nuanced use of the word 'honestly' in conversation. They explore its function as an adverb to convey sincerity, emphasize opinions, and sometimes to express unexpected or unpopular views. The discussion highlights the importance of the word in providing a sense of truthfulness and authenticity in dialogue. The hosts also address a listener's question about the impact of repetitive word use on IELTS speaking scores, advising on the use of synonyms like 'truthfully', 'frankly', and 'to be honest' to demonstrate vocabulary range. They emphasize the value of varying language to enrich communication and foster deeper human connections. The episode concludes with a role-play scenario demonstrating the practical application of these terms in a shopping context, reinforcing the advice given throughout the discussion.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The word 'honestly' is often used to convey sincerity or to emphasize the truth of a statement.
• 🤔 When used in questions, 'honestly' can seek to extract a genuine opinion or express skepticism.
• 💬 'Honestly' can also be used to share an opinion, sometimes one that may be unexpected or unpopular.
• 🧐 In conversations, 'honestly' can signal a shift to a more truthful or open dialogue between participants.
• 🔄 Repeating the same word frequently in language exams like IELTS can limit the opportunity to demonstrate a wide vocabulary.
• 📚 Alternatives to 'honestly' include 'truthfully', 'frankly', 'to be honest', and 'really', which can be used to express similar sentiments.
• 📉 Overuse of a single word can negatively impact one's score in language proficiency tests by lacking lexical variety.
• 🗣️ 'Frankly' tends to be more formal and serious, suitable for professional settings or when conveying direct truth that might be hard to hear.
• 👗 In a role-play scenario, using 'honestly' can lead to more truthful and constructive feedback.
• 🌐 The podcast discussed the use of 'honestly' in different contexts, including casual conversation and more serious discussions.
• ✨ Emphasizing honesty in communication can deepen human connections and foster more authentic interactions.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the conversation between Michelle and Lindsay?

The main topic of the conversation is the use of the word 'honestly' and its synonyms in different contexts.

Why does Michelle mention her dislike for olives?

Michelle mentions her dislike for olives to discuss the use of 'honestly' when expressing personal opinions and tastes.

What are the two main ways 'honestly' is used according to the conversation?

The two main ways 'honestly' is used are to express sincerity and to share an opinion, often when the speaker is annoyed or expressing a hard truth.

How does Lindsay feel about the use of 'honestly' in the context of asking about liking olives?

Lindsay believes that using 'honestly' in this context might be more about sharing an opinion rather than just expressing sincerity.

What is the listener's question that prompted the discussion about 'honestly'?

The listener asked if making a podcast about the synonyms of 'honestly' would affect their score and how using the word repeatedly might impact it.

What are some synonyms for 'honestly' that were discussed in the conversation?

Some synonyms for 'honestly' discussed include 'truthfully', 'truly', 'frankly', 'to be honest', and 'really'.

How might repeating the same word, like 'honestly', affect someone's score in a language proficiency test?

Repeating the same word may not directly cause a mark down, but it does mean missing opportunities to show vocabulary diversity and lexical range, which are part of the scoring.

Why is it important to use different synonyms in a conversation or discussion?

Using different synonyms helps to avoid monotony, enriches the conversation, and demonstrates a command of the language and its nuances.

What does the conversation suggest about the use of 'frankly'?

The conversation suggests that 'frankly' is used in a more serious and professional context, often when the speaker is about to say something that might be hard for the listener to hear.

How does the conversation relate to human connection and communication?

The conversation highlights the importance of being sincere and honest in communication, as it facilitates genuine human connection and helps in building trust and understanding between individuals.

What advice does the conversation offer for someone taking a speaking test?

The conversation advises to mix up synonyms and avoid repeating the same words to show a broader vocabulary and understanding of the language, which can positively impact the speaking score.

Outlines

00:00

🫒 Olives: A Matter of Taste

The conversation begins with a discussion about olives, where Michelle and Lindsay share their contrasting opinions. Michelle expresses her love for olives, citing their saltiness and the fact that she enjoys salty foods like pickles. Lindsay, on the other hand, admits to not liking olives due to their aftertaste. The dialogue also touches on the listener's recommendation of certain olives to try and the hosts' plans to discuss the use of the word 'honestly' in language.

05:04

🗣️ The Use of 'Honestly' in Conversation

The hosts delve into the use of the word 'honestly' in two main contexts: to convey sincerity and to share an opinion. They discuss how 'honestly' can emphasize good intentions, as in the example of Lindsay helping to sell her aunt's house. The second context involves sharing an opinion that might be unexpected or unpopular, such as expressing a dislike for a widely loved item like Harry Potter. The paragraph also explores the placement of 'honestly' within a sentence and how it can alter the meaning based on intonation.

10:04

🌍 IELTS Vocabulary and 'Honestly'

The discussion shifts to the implications of using 'honestly' and its synonyms in the context of the IELTS speaking exam. The hosts suggest that overusing the same word can limit the opportunity to demonstrate a diverse vocabulary, which affects the score. They recommend using alternatives like 'truthfully,' 'frankly,' 'to be honest,' and 'really' to enrich the conversation. A role-play scenario is introduced to illustrate how these words can be used in a shopping context, emphasizing the importance of truthful communication between friends.

15:05

🛍️ Role Play: Shopping and Honest Feedback

In a role play scenario, the hosts act out a shopping conversation where they use various synonyms for 'honestly' to provide feedback on a dress. Initially, they give their opinions using 'honestly' and 'truthfully,' which are direct and truthful. The conversation progresses with the use of 'frankly,' which adds a more serious tone, suggesting that one person is being too hard on themselves. The hosts conclude that while 'frankly' might be too formal for casual settings, it serves well in more serious or professional contexts. They emphasize the importance of using these words to facilitate genuine human connection and provide constructive feedback.

Keywords

💡Honestly

The adverb 'honestly' is used to emphasize sincerity or to express an opinion that may be surprising or controversial. In the script, it is used in various contexts to convey the speakers' genuine feelings or to seek the truth from each other. For example, when one speaker asks, 'Do you like olives honestly?' it implies a request for a truthful answer beyond any social niceties.

💡Olives

Olives are a type of fruit that is commonly preserved in brine or oil and are a popular food item. They are mentioned in the script as a point of discussion regarding personal taste preferences. The speakers debate whether liking or disliking olives is a matter of taste, with one claiming to love them and the other expressing a dislike, particularly due to their aftertaste.

💡Salty

The term 'salty' describes a type of taste that is one of the basic flavors and is often associated with foods like olives and pickles, as mentioned in the script. It is used to discuss the preference for certain taste profiles and contributes to the discussion on why one might like or dislike certain foods.

💡

💡Podcast

A podcast is a digital audio program that is available to download or stream on the internet. In the script, the speakers discuss their podcast, which is a platform where they have conversations about various topics. They reference a previous episode about mayonnaise and olives, two foods that tend to polarize opinions.

💡Consistency

In the context of the script, 'consistency' refers to the physical texture or the state of a substance. It is used when discussing the characteristics of olives, where one speaker mentions not liking the 'consistency' along with the aftertaste, indicating a sensory aversion to the food.

💡Twang

A 'twang' in the context of the script is a term used to describe an aftertaste or a particular flavor profile that is distinct and noticeable. It is mentioned when one of the speakers is trying to articulate their dislike for olives, pointing to a 'twang' that follows the initial saltiness as the aspect they find unpleasant.

💡Deli

A deli, short for delicatessen, is a type of store or eatery that specializes in prepared foods, such as meats, cheeses, and salads. The script mentions 'the best deli in New York City,' highlighting a topic of interest and debate among the speakers and their audience, as New York City is renowned for its culinary scene.

💡Weekend

The 'weekend' typically refers to the last two days of the workweek, usually Saturday and Sunday, when many people do not work. In the script, the speakers discuss their weekend routines, such as enjoying a slower pace, having breakfast in bed, or taking a walk in the park, emphasizing the value of leisure time.

💡I score

In the context of the script, an 'I score' likely refers to a score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, which is a standardized test used to assess English language proficiency. The speakers discuss the impact of using the word 'honestly' repeatedly on such a score, noting that it could limit the opportunity to demonstrate a wide vocabulary.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to the set of words known to a person or used in a language. In the script, the speakers talk about the importance of vocabulary in language proficiency exams like IELTS. They advise against repeating the same words, such as 'honestly,' and suggest using a variety of synonyms to demonstrate a broader lexical range.

Highlights

Discussion on the topic of liking olives and the use of 'honestly' in conversation.

Introduction to the listener's question about the use of 'honestly' and its synonyms.

Explanation of using 'honestly' to express sincerity and emphasize good intentions.

The use of 'honestly' to share an opinion, often in a context where the opinion might be unexpected or unpopular.

Differentiation between using 'honestly' to express truth and to share an opinion.

The impact of repeating words on IELTS speaking scores and the importance of vocabulary diversity.

Alternative words to 'honestly' such as 'truthfully', 'frankly', 'to be honest', and 'really'.

The context-appropriate use of 'frankly' in more serious or professional settings.

Role play scenario demonstrating the use of 'honestly', 'truthfully', and 'frankly' in a conversation.

Emphasis on the importance of truthful communication in building human connections.

The role of 'honestly' in making thoughts sound more complete and facilitating genuine dialogue.

Advice on varying the use of synonyms for 'honestly' during an IELTS exam to demonstrate vocabulary range.

The significance of adjusting language use based on the part of the IELTS speaking exam being undertaken.

Encouragement for listeners to explore the podcast for more in-depth discussions on language use.

The hosts' personal anecdotes related to the topic, adding a relatable touch to the discussion.

Final thoughts on the utility of 'honestly' and its synonyms in everyday communication.

Transcripts

hey Michelle how you doing today hey Lindsay I'm  good I'm good we've talked about this question  

before but I can't I can't remember do you  like olives honestly honestly do you like  

them um honestly yeah actually I love olives  I can't say anything else other than I love  

them um I think you really don't like them is  that right right and I remember we had a great  

listener recommend certain olives for me to  try I have not tried them yet because I'm too  

I don't know I just haven't scared I don't say  too scared because that's ridiculous but yeah  

yeah is it the saltiness Michelle or is it the  like the consistency what is it with olives that  

you I don't know it's the aftertaste I think I  cuz I like salty I like I love salty things I  

like pickle I love pickles um oh interesting okay  yeah but I I I I I don't know it's something it's  

the there's like a twang after the salt it's that  there's some sort of disgusting thing that happens  

after the initial that I don't like okay got it  it's just a you don't like fair enough exactly  

exactly no offense no offense so today we are  going to answer a listener question about the  

word honestly right because I asked you do you  like olives honestly um and that was something  

that I added on I could have just said do you  like olives we'll talk about that today before  

we do though H head over last week we did um a  podcast can't stand Mayo plus the best deli in  

New York city so mayo and olives those are kind  of two polarizing Foods uh they are yeah you love  

them or you hate them and yeah so go ahead and  listen to that episode and I bet our listeners  

also want to know Michelle what is the best deli  in New York City I mean that's a Hot Topic right  

there so guys go over and listen to that podcast  that episode over there from last week uh guys  

don't forget to also hit follow right here on the  all ears English podcast because today is Saturday  

Michelle and we are now publishing episodes on  Saturdays so we can be your weekend companion  

as well as during the week so cool right yes I  know because a lot of you say that you um listen  

to us on your commute so I'm I'm hoping that  you guys are listening to us now maybe you're  

having breakfast in bed maybe you're maybe you're  taking a nice stroll in the park so it's kind of a  

different way to listen actually Saturdays are the  best Michelle always treat myself to a cappuccino  

on the weekends and take my dog for a walk in the  park and everything just kind of slows down which  

is so nice isn't it the best Yes actually my son  recently he started realizing how much he loves  

the weekend and he said the other day he said why  is the weekend only only two days and I said I  

know and he said he said why did the earth decide  to do that oh I love it how how old is your son  

now he's five he's five so yeah fivey olds have  a lot of wisdom don't they yeah I it's true I I  

I don't know unfortunately but anyway let's get  into the question today honestly I think this is  

going to be a good episode oh I love it I love  it here we go so I'll read the question this by  

the way is from our YouTube channel which is a  great way to consume our show if you want to see  

our faces you want to see our Expressions if you  are more of a visual learner and you are able to  

go on YouTube go to YouTube type in all English  hit subscribe here we go yeah our listener here  

says hi I'm wondering if you can make a podcast  about the synonyms of honestly and if I use this  

word repeatedly like twice or three times would it  affect my score thank you I love you wow we love  

you too we love our listeners yeah and I think our  listener here is asking about I score score yeah  

very interesting so I still wanted to seal this  question for all ear's English but I do think that  

Lindsay and I can give you some tips about you  know how how often you use it so wanted to snatch  

it up we're going yeah so uh we will talk about  this not so much in the context ofs but just in  

general conversation but if you are taking I go  over and find the E energy podcast with Jessica  

and Aubrey all right love it all right so great  question Lindsay when do we use honestly we're  

going to talk about two of the main ways today  um because of course it's used all the time in  

different context so we're going to talk about  two main ones today so Lindsay what's the first  

one okay number one is when we are we are telling  the truth we're being sincere for example I mean  

it honestly right he honestly just wants the best  for his family so you're just coming clean like  

you're you're being straight with someone right  you're say you're telling the truth okay right  

and again it's interesting because this word  in this kind of a way it could just be taken  

out but what do you think it does I mean when  I said do you like olives honestly or saying he  

honestly just once what do you think it does well  I think probably the olives question belongs more  

in bucket two which we're going to talk about in  a minute I feel like it does to share an opinion  

uh but in terms of you know he honestly just wants  the best for his family this is used to emphasize  

especially that someone has good intentions yeah  right honestly you know for example right now I'm  

helping clean out my aunt's house in California  and and some people are oh why are you doing this  

why are you doing that on honestly I just want to  sell this house right so that's something I would  

totally say and I don't want to be involved in any  drama I just want to move on right yes right yes  

and we are wishing for that for you Lindsay yes  for sure so that that's it that that's number one  

that's bucket one it's being sincere it's giving  a little bit of oomph to your answer it's kind  

of giving a little proof to your to why you're  saying something do you agree yeah definitely  

definitely and the second way is really more about  sharing an opinion I feel like it's used a lot if  

you're annoyed um so for example honestly I think  we should just forget about the train ticket it's  

too expensive let's just take the bus maybe not  necessarily annoyed but almost almost like the  

hard truth right so honestly this is just too this  is out of our budget honestly but I mean for the  

olives one yeah I yeah what do you think Michelle  I I I feel like you can tag this onto the for for  

me the olives example it's almost saying I think I  can't understand how anybody would like olives so  

I'm saying do you like olives honestly basically  you can't really like olives so I'm saying really  

tell tell me the real truth oh interesting I  thought of it exactly the the opposite way that  

if you know I ask you if you like olives that you  most people like olives I I think most people like  

but your opinion is a little different and so  honestly I don't that's the way I think of it  

so maybe we have to revisit that part to see you  know yeah right like everyone loves Harry Potter  

but honestly I really didn't think it was that  great right so this kind of opens up a third way  

is to share maybe an unexpected or maybe unpopular  opinion common opinion I think that's safe to say  

I think that's safe to say yeah yeah yeah so  I think it's basically about really showing  

someone's genuine about something or sharing  an opinion um and that's what I think this is  

mostly used for so but let's go let's go into some  examples or conversation questions uh Lindsay do  

you honestly think we will move to another planet  one day honestly I doubt it yeah right so yeah  

and this is interesting how you put it here in a  different like a different part of the sentence do  

you honestly think right as an adverb interesting  so and this kind of depends on intonation here  

because it could have two different meanings so  in the first one if I say Lindsay do you honestly  

think we'll move to another planet I'm more really  asking for your opinion but if I say it like this  

Lindsay do you honestly think we will move to  another planet right you are showing skepticism  

in your voice there it's very blatant right right  and and I might even maybe you've expressed that  

you feel that this could happen before it almost  sounds like I'm a little bit critical of your  

opinions I don't think you're being that smart  do you honestly think right yeah or this would  

be something you could say to someone who believes  in conspiracy theories which are rampant right now  

all rampant conspiracy theory what's an example  of one I don't I don't even want to repeat them  

on the show yeah I don't either but um do you  honestly believe that XYZ whatever you read in  

right who knows what publication right do you  honestly believe that okay yes yes um what's  

another example okay so a little different so  I honestly think I'm ready for another episode  

after this now what are we saying here this is  different this is more bucket one this is just  

truthfully I mean again if I just said I think  I'm ready for another episode after this that's  

fine too but honestly adds a little something  um that it's really your opinion truthfully  

this is really how you feel I think it's there's  something comforting in this for for the speaker  

in telling the truth right there's something very  look this is how it is for me okay I'm just going  

to put it all out there on the table and works  well to do that for you right yes but let's say  

maybe I would say to you honestly let's just stop  after this episode I'm so tired Michelle we just  

started recording I mean 10 minutes ago Lindsay  I don't know you know yeah yeah yeah so clearly  

it's a pretty uh diverse word that can do a few  different things for us yeah Michelle yeah it  

definitely can okay do we have anything else so  our listener here on YouTube asked if there are  

other things that could be used in the same way  as honestly what else could they be absolutely  

we have there are tons of them tons I've chose a  few today well one would be truthfully or truly  

so truthfully we need to get our act together yes  okay this one I feel is a little less common for  

me um but it means basically means the same thing  right it can be used in in the way to just come  

clean speak from your heart tell the truth yeah  or frankly yeah this one's a fun one frankly this  

one is this one's very serious very professional  sounding I feel like this one is only for very  

direct things so for example frankly it's just  another five minutes you can wait right yeah to  

share an opinion again that might be controversial  or where you have to say the truth and maybe it's  

going to be hard for the person to hear you're  tired of talking around something so you start  

to tell the truth I agree Michelle professional  context it's really good right and the next one  

is to be honest so instead of honestly we have to  be honest so you could say it's really hard for me  

to get this done on time to be honest to be honest  yes love that and then really so this is probably  

the one basic that our listeners know the best and  are most familiar with Can it can also be genuine  

like I really want to help you I really want to  make your life easier right yes yes exactly so  

you have a ton of different ways to say it but  let's talk about the I question um using this  

what do you think ly well we know that if you are  repeating the same words over and over as far as I  

understand again if you really want like the deep  I expertise go to I energy but what we know about  

ISS is that if you're repeating the same words  and over and over it's not so much that you're  

marked down as that you are losing opportunity  to show your vocabulary and vocabulary is part of  

your score there are multiple parts of your score  it is calculated as part of your score so you're  

missing an opportunity to show the diversity your  lexical range all the other things that you know  

mean the same thing so don't do it right don't  do it use some of these other mix it up always  

mix it up always and you also obviously want to  pay attention to which part of the speaking exam  

you're in we know that speaking part one is a lot  more casual questions about maybe your live your  

daily routine and then we get into telling a story  and speaking part two and deeper societal systemic  

questions in part three so that's where we could  use the difference between really and frankly for  

example right definitely so good stuff so go over  and check out I energy if you want to know more  

guys but that is my my basic gist on the is vocab  question all right love it love it all right let's  

do a role play we we're we we shared a ton of them  so we'll use as many as we can um so in this role  

play we are shopping okay here we go all right  let's do it do you like this dress I do honestly  

well truthfully I think it's a bit baggy oh okay  see yeah I agree thank you for telling me really  

so are you going to get it no honestly this looks  terrible frankly I think you're being too hard on  

yourself you're right um I'll get a different size  I do love the colors nice yeah so we're being very  

truthful here with each other um at first not  so truthful yeah that's what happens right I  

feel that's right as soon as you the other person  senses now we're going to tell the truth you both  

tell the truth and how do you get to that place  right interesting right right right so yeah uh  

you said you do like the dress and I'm sensing  that you're not being truthful so I just say

honestly honestly right so you're asking are  you telling me the truth by saying honestly  

yeah right and then I say well truthfully it's a  bit baggy right telling the truth um and then I  

said I agree thank you for telling me and then I  said really so I could have just said Thank you  

for telling me what do you think the really does  why did I add that you're emphasizing the thank  

you and you're saying now we're really speaking  the truth to each other we're being upfront and  

honest right right I I I really appreciate you  telling me the truth because I wouldn't want  

to spend the money on something that doesn't look  good and it sounds like I know that it's not good  

either I just needed to be validated right and  then you said I said so are you going to get it  

and you said no honestly this looks terrible and  that we're really telling the truth yeah now well  

now we're oh man this is terrible okay and then  you said frankly I think you're being too hard  

on yourself now in the conversation between two  friends I feel like this would be a little too  

a formal sounding it's a little awkward sounding  for this situation but I wanted to show how it's  

used yeah I think I would save frankly for the  more not so much the the you're in a shop in the  

dressing room trying on things um more serious  arguments self-disclosure in a serious context  

things like that right that's what frankly works  for yeahh definitely so wow take any takeaways  

any final thoughts Michelle today well this is  just really useful for so many things expressing  

opinions asking for opinions maybe giving harsh  realities giving someone a little tough love  

there's a lot that we could use this with and  as far as the eys question we gave you other  

ways to say it so sprinkle those in continue  to mix it up but this is just a very useful  

word and you see frequently it's kind of an add-on  sometimes yeah you could do without it you don't  

need it but sometimes just it's completing it's  fulfilling sometimes it just makes the thought  

sound a little more complete more complete  for sure and then I would also say from a  

human connection perspective which is why we're  here on this show it's why allers English exists  

human connection I think there's something really  profound when we drop all the pretenses right we  

drop all the the putting on a mask and saying  this is great uh from both sides and any words  

that we can have that facilitate that will build  that connection faster don't you think Michelle  

definitely is what that does yeah all right  well honestly I think we answered the question  

so let's jump off the mic but thank honestly  all right thank you so much to The Listener  

for this question great one this was fun and have  a good day all right Michelle take care bye bye

[Music]