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Prepositions after adjectives

Forthright in or forthright about

Forthright means direct and honest. Forthright about is used for topics or issues, while forthright in usually refers to behaviour, speech, or manner.

Quick answer

Forthright about vs. forthright in

Use forthright about when talking about a subject someone discusses openly. Use forthright in when describing directness in speech, behaviour, or communication. The two patterns are related but not interchangeable in every sentence.

She was forthright about the risks.
He is always forthright in meetings.
The doctor was forthright about the diagnosis.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
forthright about + topic

Being direct about a subject

Use forthright about for issues, opinions, experiences, or facts discussed openly.

She was forthright about the budget problems.
He remained forthright about his intentions.
2
forthright in + communication or behaviour

Being direct in a manner or activity

Use forthright in when describing the way someone speaks, writes, negotiates, or behaves.

They were forthright in their criticism.
She is forthright in negotiations.
3
forthright with + person

Being honest with someone

Forthright with can describe directness toward a particular person or group.

Please be forthright with your clients.
He was forthright with the committee.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
forthright about
She was forthright about the delays.
open and direct regarding a topic
forthright in
He was forthright in his response.
direct in speech, writing, behaviour, or manner
forthright with
Be forthright with the investigators.
honest and direct toward someone
forthright on
The senator was forthright on tax policy.
less common but possible in public or political discussion contexts

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using forthright in for a topic

Use about when the noun is the subject being discussed.

✕ She was forthright in the scandal. ✓ She was forthright about the scandal.

Using forthright about for communication style

Use in when describing manner or style of speaking.

✕ He was forthright about his remarks. ✓ He was forthright in his remarks.

Leaving out the needed complement

Forthright often needs a phrase showing the topic, manner, or listener.

✓ The report was forthright about the risks.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The executive was forthright ___ the company's losses.
2. She is forthright ___ her writing.
3. Try to be forthright ___ your customers.

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Frequently asked questions

Which is more common: forthright about or forthright in?

Both are standard. About focuses on the topic, while in focuses on the manner or context of communication.

Can forthright be followed by with?

Yes. Forthright with someone means honest and direct toward that person or group.

Is forthright positive or negative?

It is usually positive and suggests honest, clear communication, although it can sometimes imply bluntness.

face-to-face-with-in-at-for, to "fair to" or "fair in"? faithful to, in, of, with or for? falling of, in, out, into or off? "false in" or "false to"? famed for, as, in or throughout? familiar with, to, from or in? famous for, in, of, by or as? fanatical about, in, as, for or of? "fantastic for" or "fantastic in"? far from, in, to, for or with? fascinating to, about, in, for or as?

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