a fact of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fact of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific reality or truth about a situation or subject. Example: "It is a fact of life that change is inevitable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is just a fact of life".

The New York Times

It's just a fact of life".

The New York Times

This is a fact of life.

The New Yorker

Product placement is a fact of life.

Independent

Segregation is a fact of life.

The New York Times

It's basically a fact of life".

Independent

That's a fact of my practice".

The New York Times

But that's a fact of life".

Independent

Now that is a fact of life.

Independent

That's just a fact of college.

The New Yorker

"Anxiety is a fact of life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fact of" to acknowledge an unavoidable or undeniable aspect of a situation, especially when presenting potentially negative or challenging information. For example, stating "Increased competition is "a fact of" the global market" can soften the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a fact of" in very informal settings where simpler language would suffice. Instead of saying "It's "a fact of" life that things break", consider "Things break" or "That's life" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fact of" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It introduces an element of reality or inevitability, as seen in Ludwig's examples where various situations are presented as unavoidable or inherent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fact of" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge undeniable aspects of reality across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in diverse sources. Its frequent appearance in news, academic, and scientific contexts underscores its neutrality and broad applicability. While highly useful, remember to consider tone and context. Alternatives such as "a reality of" or "an aspect of" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overusing the phrase in very informal settings may sound unnatural so adjust accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reality of

Emphasizes the real and unavoidable nature, similar to "fact", but with a slightly broader scope.

an undeniable truth about

Replaces "fact" with "truth", reinforcing the indisputable nature of the statement.

a given of

Indicates something that must be accepted without question, similar to a fact.

an inherent part of

Stresses that something is naturally and permanently part of something else.

a certainty in

Shifts the focus to the assuredness of something, instead of its factual nature.

an element of

Replaces "fact" with "element", focusing on the component aspect rather than the certainty.

a feature of

Substitutes "fact" with "feature", highlighting it as a characteristic rather than an unchangeable truth.

an aspect of

Focuses on a specific part or side of something, rather than its absolute truth.

a component of

Highlights the part that is factual and necessary.

an inevitable consequence of

Highlights the unavoidable outcome of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a fact of" in a sentence?

Use "a fact of" to introduce something that is undeniably true or a reality that must be accepted. For example, "Rising costs are "a fact of" running a business."

What are some alternatives to "a fact of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a reality of", "an aspect of", or "a given of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "a fact of" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider whether a more precise or nuanced term might be more suitable. In scientific contexts, for instance, "established principle" or "empirical observation" may be more fitting.

How does the tone of "a fact of" compare to other similar phrases?

"A fact of" tends to be neutral, acknowledging an existing condition. Phrases like "an unfortunate truth" carry a more negative connotation, while "an inescapable reality" emphasizes unavoidability.