Shadow of truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Shadow of truth" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing ambiguity, hidden meanings, or the elusive nature of truth. Example: "In the shadow of truth, many secrets remain concealed." Alternative expressions include "Veil of truth" and "Shade of truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And the shadow of truth that had come was lost in the euphoria".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Today, designers' visions are dark and sparse, hinting at some shadow of the truth.

The New York Times

Plato said everything in the real world is just a shadow of the truth, that there is a kind of ur table – or ur Clegg – out there in some realm that we can't access".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In their shadow, traditional notions of truth and falsity merge into each other, allowing anything to be said with impunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

This history was recounted in impressive detail by Jane Mayer in The Dark Side and by Alfred McCoy in A Question of Torture, and Boal's screenplay catches some shadows of the truth that will be read differently by people who know those books.

Huffington Post

Shaftesbury's Neoplatonism, his contention that what man sees of beauty or truth is only a shadow of absolute beauty or truth, dominated his attitude to religion and to the arts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When she is forced back into her world, she is covered with shadow creatures from the Gate of Truth and takes on a fearsome appearance, leading her to be shot to death (before returning to her lifeless human form) by an officer resembling Maes Hughes.

Wikipedia

If we look for more updated metaphors, in some ways Facebook has also become "Westworld", a place where everyone is free to live their darkest dreams and shadow aspect, with little notion of truth and lie or fear of consequence, and probably inhabiting more bots than the wild WestWorld.

Huffington Post

And the thing is, despite the outrage that these clumsy stories cause, some researchers would agree there are kernels of truth, or shadows of kernels, or kernels of kernels, buried within them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is Plato's cave image: humanity's chained preference for woozy shadows over the hard free light of truth.

The New York Times - Books

It's amazing to me—I mean, if you were to meet a termite to state that his or her goal in life was the perfect modeling of the cosmos, you would think it was quite a comic undertaking, and yet how different are we that we should presume to more than a shadow of a shadow of the truth.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shadow of truth" when you want to convey that something is partially true but also obscured or not fully revealed. This is useful in contexts where complete clarity is lacking or intentionally avoided.

Common error

Avoid using "shadow of truth" when you mean something is entirely false. The phrase implies there is some element of truth, however faint or distorted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shadow of truth" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase describes something that partially reveals or obscures reality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shadow of truth" is a grammatically sound and meaningfully evocative expression used to describe situations where the truth is partially obscured or not fully revealed. According to Ludwig, this phrase, while correct, is not exceedingly common, but it holds a unique place in conveying ambiguity or uncertainty. It appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, lending credibility to its usage. When you aim to express that something has elements of truth but is not entirely clear or complete, consider using "shadow of truth". Alternatives such as "hint of truth", "veil of truth", and "glimmer of truth" can also serve, depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to impart.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hint of truth

Focuses on a slight or indirect indication of the truth.

Veil of truth

Suggests that the truth is hidden behind something.

Glimmer of truth

Emphasizes a brief or faint appearance of the truth.

Echo of truth

Implies a distant or weakened version of the truth.

Resemblance of truth

Highlights a superficial similarity to the truth that may be misleading.

Suggestion of truth

Focuses on an indirect or subtle indication of the truth.

Intimation of truth

Suggests a more subtle or delicate communication of the truth.

Trace of truth

Emphasizes a minimal amount of truth.

Whisper of truth

Implies a quiet, barely audible revelation of the truth.

Inkling of truth

Indicates a vague or uncertain sense of the truth.

FAQs

How can I use "shadow of truth" in a sentence?

You can use "shadow of truth" to suggest that something is partially true but not entirely clear or complete. For instance, "In the "shadow of truth", many secrets remain concealed."

What's a good alternative to "shadow of truth"?

Alternatives include "hint of truth", "veil of truth", or "glimmer of truth", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "shadow of truth" a common expression?

"Shadow of truth" is not as common as other similar expressions, but it is grammatically correct and understandable. Its usage lends a more literary or thoughtful tone.

What does "shadow of truth" imply?

"Shadow of truth" implies that the truth is not fully visible or accessible. It suggests that there may be hidden aspects or that the truth is distorted in some way.