a bitter truth

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bitter truth" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an unpleasant truth, one which is difficult to accept or acknowledge. For example, "She was faced with the bitter truth that her marriage was over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Mr Sarkozy speaks a bitter truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a bitter truth which may cause even more worry for Eberl come next summer.

Independent

That's the concept of re-usability because now the time the population is lacking resources and that's a bitter truth !

University of California, Berkeley

Yes, it's a bitter truth, Friends of the Fresh Kills Landfill.

The New York Times

It's a bitter truth of mining that sometimes men are buried alive and die of starvation, their bodies never recovered.

The New Yorker

The investigation revealed a bitter truth: that the secret offshore industry is not a minor part of our economic system.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Winkler instead aims for a more bitter truth: a romance with a Spanish-speaking maid a la "Bottle Rocket" is nipped in the bud due to an insurmountable language barrier.

Huffington Post

The death devastated Lilly; he wrote to his family, "I can hardly tell you how it glares at me ...it's a bitter, bitter truth ... Emily is indeed dead".

Wikipedia

"It is a cruel and bitter truth that in the fog of war generally, and our fight against terrorists specifically, mistakes, sometimes deadly mistakes, can occur," he said.

The New York Times

It is a cruel and bitter truth that in the fog of war generally, and in our fight against terrorists specifically, mistakes – sometimes deadly mistakes – can occur," he said.

The Guardian

"It is a cruel and bitter truth," he said, "that in the fog of war generally and our fight against terrorists specifically, mistakes -- sometimes deadly mistakes -- can occur.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bitter truth", ensure the context clearly establishes the unpleasant or difficult nature of the truth being presented. The phrase works best when introducing a fact that is likely to be met with resistance or discomfort.

Common error

Avoid using "a bitter truth" when the information is merely factual and lacks a significant negative emotional impact. Reserve it for situations where the truth is genuinely unpleasant or challenging to accept.

Linguistic Context

A bitter truth functions as a noun phrase, specifically serving as a subject complement or an object. It often introduces or highlights an unpleasant or difficult reality that needs to be acknowledged. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bitter truth" is a commonly used phrase to describe an unpleasant or difficult reality. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatically correct usage spans across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, it’s crucial to ensure the context warrants the negative connotation of the phrase and to avoid overuse in neutral situations. Alternatives such as "an unpalatable fact" or "a harsh reality" may provide more specific nuances. Ultimately, "a bitter truth" serves to highlight challenging facts that need acknowledgement, and its effective use depends on accurately assessing the emotional weight of the information being presented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unpalatable fact

This alternative emphasizes the disagreeable nature of the fact, making it difficult to accept or swallow.

a harsh reality

This alternative focuses on the severe and unforgiving aspect of the reality being presented.

a painful realization

This alternative highlights the emotional distress caused by understanding something.

an unwelcome reality

This alternative stresses the unwanted and undesirable nature of the situation.

a disappointing truth

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of letdown associated with the truth.

a sobering fact

This alternative highlights the serious and thoughtful consideration that the fact demands.

a difficult truth to accept

This alternative directly addresses the challenge of embracing the truth.

a hard pill to swallow

This idiomatic alternative emphasizes the difficulty in accepting the unpleasant truth.

a brutal fact

This alternative underscores the raw and unfeeling nature of the truth.

an uncomfortable truth

This alternative highlights the awkwardness or unease associated with the truth.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a bitter truth" in a sentence?

Use "a bitter truth" to introduce facts or realizations that are unpleasant or difficult to accept. For example, "The company faced "a bitter truth": they were on the verge of bankruptcy."

What are some alternatives to saying "a bitter truth"?

You can use alternatives like "an unpalatable fact", "a harsh reality", or "a painful realization depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a bitter truth" in formal writing?

Yes, "a bitter truth" is suitable for formal writing when the context involves presenting a difficult or unwelcome fact. However, ensure the tone remains professional and avoids excessive emotional language.

What distinguishes "a bitter truth" from "a sad truth"?

"A bitter truth" emphasizes the unpleasantness or difficulty in accepting a truth, while "a sad truth" focuses on the emotional feeling of sorrow or regret associated with the truth. The former highlights resistance, the latter highlights sorrow.