fact
fact
Pronunciation
Word: fact
IPA: /fækt/ (This is the most common pronunciation in American English)
Breakdown by syllable sounds:
/fæ/ - This sound consists of two parts:
/f/ - voiceless bilabial fricative (similar to the sound at the beginning of "fish")
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel (similar to the "a" in "cat")
/kt/ - This sound consists of two parts:
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive (similar to the "k" in "kite")
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive (similar to the "t" in "stop")
Word Form Variations
The word "fact" has two main variations:
Singular: fact (This is the most common form used to refer to a single piece of verifiable information.)
Plural: facts (This is used to refer to multiple pieces of verifiable information.)
There are no other verb, adjective, or adverb conjugations of the word "fact" itself.
However, there are some related terms that might be considered variations depending on context:
Derived adjective: factual (meaning based on facts or reality)
Idioms:
After the fact (meaning done after something has already happened)
Before the fact (meaning done in anticipation of something happening)
In fact (meaning actually or really)
The fact of the matter (meaning the truth of the situation)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: A piece of information that is verifiable from observation, investigation, or research and considered true. (Synonyms: truth, reality, actuality, certainty, verification Antonyms: fiction, myth, misconception, fallacy, falsehood)
Definition 2: An event or thing that is known to have happened or existed. (Synonyms: occurrence, incident, happening, development Antonyms: invention, fabrication, contrivance)
Note: "Fact" is not typically used as a verb, adjective, or adverb.
Examples of Use
1. Books:
"It is a fact that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level." (Science textbook)
2. Newspapers:
"The investigation revealed new facts about the suspect's alibi." (News article)
3. Online Publications:
"There's a lot of misinformation online, so it's important to check facts before sharing anything." (Social media post)
4. Entertainment Mediums:
Movie: "We need to separate fact from fiction in this case." (Detective film)
TV Show: "The documentary presented compelling facts about climate change." (Nature documentary)
5. Public Discourse:
"Politicians often use statistics and facts to support their arguments." (Debate)
"I'm basing my decision on facts, not emotions." (Casual conversation)
"The fact of the matter is, we need to find a solution that works for everyone." (Negotiation)
Bonus Example - Idioms:
"The company is under fire for its after-the-fact apology for the data breach." (Tech news article)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Fact
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." - John Adams (American Founding Father)
"The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth." - Niels Bohr (Danish physicist)
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli (British Prime Minister)
"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." - Gloria Steinem (American feminist)
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." - Aldous Huxley (British writer)
"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." - Jon Kabat-Zinn (American mindfulness teacher) (This quote uses "fact" metaphorically, referring to the inevitability of challenges.)
"The secret to happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible. Happiness is not a blanket that you throw over the world to make it look better. It is a way of seeing the world as it is and not turning away." - Sylvia Plath (American poet)
"Let me tell you the secret that has led to my success. My strength lies solely in my genuine passion for my work." - Marie Curie (Polish physicist) (This quote uses "fact" indirectly, implying it as the basis for her success.)
"The only source of knowledge is experience." - Albert Einstein (German-born theoretical physicist) (This quote uses "fact" indirectly, implying experiences as the foundation for acquiring knowledge.)
"In the big inning, I hit home runs." - Yogi Berra (American baseball player) (This quote, though humorous, uses "fact" playfully to emphasise Berra's confidence in clutch situations.)
Etymology
The word "fact" comes from an older language called Latin, just like many English words do. In Latin, the word was "factum" which meant "something done" or "an action."
Imagine "factum" like the "fact" of someone throwing a ball (the action). This was the first meaning of "fact" in English around the 1400s. Over time, the meaning changed to what we use it for today: a piece of information that's true. This shift happened around the 1500s, perhaps because true information feels like something that's been "established" or "done" in the sense of being proven.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Fact
Common Phrases:
The fact that: This phrase is used to introduce a clause that provides evidence or explanation for something. (e.g., "The fact that he missed three meetings in a row raised concerns about his work ethic.")
Face the facts: This means to confront reality and accept things as they are, even if they are unpleasant. (e.g., "We need to face the facts - this project is behind schedule.")
In point of fact: This is a more formal way of saying "actually" or "in fact." (e.g., "In point of fact, I quite enjoyed the movie.")
That's a fact: This is a simple way of agreeing with someone or emphasising that something is true. (e.g., "It's a hot day today." - "That's a fact!")
Idioms:
After the fact: This means done too late, after something has already happened. (e.g., "Their apology for the data breach seemed like an after-the-fact attempt to save face.")
Before the fact: This means done in anticipation of something happening. (e.g., "The police took preventative measures before the fact to avoid any violence at the protest.")
In fact: This means actually, truly, or really. (e.g., "I wasn't sure if you'd come, but in fact, I'm glad you did!")
The fact of the matter is: This is a way of emphasising the truth of a situation. (e.g., "The fact of the matter is, we need to find a compromise.")
A matter of fact: This is similar to "in fact," but can also be used to introduce additional information. (e.g., "She's not a doctor. As a matter of fact, she's a lawyer.")
Factual: This is an adjective that means based on facts or verifiable information. (e.g., "The news report provided a factual account of the event.")
Factoid: This is a small piece of information that is presented as a fact, but may or may not be entirely true or accurate. (e.g., "Did you know the population of the earth is over eight billion people? That's a real factoid!") (Note: While "factoid" uses "fact," it implies the information might not be fully reliable.)
Posts Related to Fact
Source Information
Definition of fact from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved
