a sad fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sad fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that conveys an unfortunate or disappointing truth. Example: "It is a sad fact that many people still lack access to clean drinking water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a sad fact".

The New York Times

It's a sad fact of life," he said.

Independent

It is a sad fact of life that cheating sometimes happens.

University of California, Berkeley

It's a sad fact that some sociopaths start young and remain dangerous all their lives.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the families of the five men are united by a sad fact.

The Guardian

Because it's a sad fact that the modern writer has to be a hustler too.

The Guardian

It is a sad fact that this vulnerable group is being left behind.

The Guardian

"It's just a sad fact of life, isn't it?" he says.

The Guardian - Sport

The debate about film violence is conducted without acknowledging a sad fact: violence creates genuine excitement.

The New York Times

This discovery must be tempered by a sad fact, this was old news.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said guns are a sad fact of life in the neighborhood.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "a sad fact", follow it with a concise and clear explanation of the specific situation or issue to ensure your reader fully understands the unfortunate reality you're highlighting.

Common error

Avoid beginning multiple consecutive sentences with "a sad fact" as this can make your writing sound repetitive and monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing your ideas to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sad fact" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a statement of unfortunate truth. It sets the stage for conveying information that is disappointing or regrettable. Ludwig examples illustrate its role in prefacing such statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sad fact" is a commonly used phrase to introduce an unfortunate or disappointing truth. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, most prominently in News & Media. To enhance your writing, consider employing synonyms such as "an unfortunate truth" or "a regrettable reality", while avoiding overuse of the phrase to maintain engagement. This makes your writing both clear and effective. In short, "a sad fact" provides a straightforward method for introducing unfavorable realities, as verified by the myriad of examples available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfortunate truth

Replaces "sad" with "unfortunate", emphasizing the negative consequence of the fact.

a regrettable reality

Substitutes "fact" with "reality" and "sad" with "regrettable", highlighting the unwelcome nature of the situation.

a disappointing reality

Uses "disappointing" instead of "sad", focusing on the feeling of letdown associated with the fact.

a lamentable situation

Replaces the phrase with a description of the situation as worthy of mourning or regret.

a depressing truth

Emphasizes the disheartening aspect of the fact by using "depressing".

a discouraging reality

Focuses on the effect the fact has, making one feel less optimistic.

a sobering fact

Highlights the serious and perhaps alarming nature of the fact.

a gloomy truth

Conveys a sense of pessimism or despondency regarding the truth.

a dismal reality

Uses "dismal" to stress the bleak or depressing quality of the reality.

a disheartening truth

Focuses on the loss of morale or enthusiasm caused by the truth.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sad fact" to introduce an unfortunate or disappointing truth. For example, "It's "a sad fact" that many endangered species are on the brink of extinction".

What phrases are similar to "a sad fact"?

Alternatives include "an unfortunate truth", "a regrettable reality", or "a disappointing reality". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing an alternative.

Is it okay to begin a sentence with "a sad fact"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to begin a sentence with "a sad fact". However, vary your sentence structure to avoid repetition.

What's the tone conveyed by "a sad fact"?

The phrase conveys a tone of disappointment, regret, or resignation about an unpleasant truth. It acknowledges an unfortunate reality.