a sliver of truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sliver of truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of truth within a larger context that may be misleading or false. Example: "While the article was largely sensationalized, there was a sliver of truth in the claims about the environmental impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some had a sliver of truth in them, but most were complete fabrications.

The Guardian

There is a sliver of truth here — no team can retain the best talent without spending generously — but the Lakers are not the league's biggest spenders over the past decade.

The New York Times - Sports

But, as you say, people with actual experience of international cricket/captaincy think an actual international captain made the right decision so there's a chance there's a sliver of truth in this".

The Guardian - Sport

Do you need any additional support?" This will elicit a sliver of truth that can be an early warning system for people challenges.

Forbes

Don't know about the publicist being the new label, sounds kinda douchey, but I guess there is a sliver of truth in it, as good PR agents are always A&R'ing new artists to work with.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

There was a sliver of accuracy in his sputtering declaration.

Huffington Post

Ask a man why he remains attached to his former girlfriend's hairdresser and he will not tell you it is because somewhere he cannot let go of the precious memory of her, even if that may indeed be a sliver of the truth.

The New York Times - Style

Whether it's a status update or a novel, the good ones can grasp hold of their subject — if not with the completion of a circle, then at least by delivering an essential sliver of truth.

The New Yorker

If I tried to explain it to someone who had just landed from another planet I would only talk a lot of ill-informed nonsense at them — an approximation of the truth, a sliver of what I've gleaned from the articles I've read and half-comprehended.

The New Yorker

The small sliver of truth in claims of continuing recovery is the fact that G.D.P. is still rising: we're not in a classic recession, in which everything goes down.

The New York Times

The ostensible objectivity of Reichardt's meticulous naturalism is a device that she uses to portray a sliver of physical reality as the whole truth; her rejection of psychology as well as of cultural context plays false and reeks of demagogy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sliver of truth" to acknowledge a small, often overlooked, element of accuracy in a larger, potentially misleading narrative. It adds nuance and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a sliver of truth" when the accurate part is substantial. The phrase is intended to denote a very small proportion of truth, so its use should be reserved for situations where the overall context is largely inaccurate or false.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sliver of truth" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples show it used to acknowledge a small degree of accuracy within a larger context. It serves to qualify a statement, indicating limited veracity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"A sliver of truth" is a phrase used to describe a small amount of truth present within a larger context that may be misleading or false. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts, used to acknowledge a minor point while emphasizing overall inaccuracy. Alternatives include "a grain of truth" or "a hint of truth". When using this phrase, be sure not to overstate the significance of the truth it contains, as it is meant to represent a very small proportion. Remembering this helps to improve the precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grain of truth

Replaces "sliver" with "grain", emphasizing a tiny amount of truth.

a hint of truth

Substitutes "sliver" with "hint", suggesting a subtle indication of truth.

a kernel of truth

Uses "kernel" instead of "sliver", implying a core element of truth.

a small element of truth

Replaces "sliver" with "small element", making the phrase more descriptive.

a touch of reality

Shifts from "truth" to "reality", highlighting a slight connection to what is real.

a thread of authenticity

Uses "thread" and "authenticity" to convey a fine line of genuine information.

a glimmer of truth

Replaces "sliver" with "glimmer", suggesting a faint, sparkling hint of truth.

a fragment of reality

Uses "fragment" instead of "sliver", emphasizing an incomplete piece of reality.

a shadow of reality

Replaces "truth" with "reality", to describe partial view of reality.

an iota of truth

Replaces "sliver" with "iota", which means an extremely small amount.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a sliver of truth" in a sentence?

Use "a sliver of truth" to concede a minor point within a broader argument. For example, "While the report was mostly inaccurate, there was "a sliver of truth" in its claims about market trends".

What are some alternatives to using "a sliver of truth"?

You can use alternatives like "a grain of truth", "a hint of truth", or "a kernel of truth" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "a sliver of truth" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate in formal writing when you need to acknowledge a small element of accuracy amidst a larger context of misinformation or falsehood. Just ensure it fits the tone and purpose of your writing.

What's the difference between "a sliver of truth" and "the whole truth"?

"A sliver of truth" indicates a small portion of accuracy, whereas "the whole truth" implies a complete and comprehensive account. Using "a sliver of truth" suggests that much of what is presented is either false or misleading.