a truthful account

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a truthful account" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a narrative or description that accurately represents facts or reality. Example: "The journalist provided a truthful account of the events that transpired during the protest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

A "truthful" account of a conversation in all its fragmentary chaos is merely unreadable.

The Guardian - Books

"The movie, which I've had the opportunity to see, is a truthful account of the campaign," Mr. Schmidt said.

The New York Times

Although many details of the Gospels remain the subject of disagreement and uncertainty, the scholarly consensus accepts the substance of the Gospel tradition as a truthful account.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As for whether Girls offers a truthful account of young, white New York women, I'm not woman enough to pronounce on that.

Independent

But Sgt Crooks said her intention was never to prompt Bromley or "manufacture" a witness, but to "get a truthful account" from her.

The Guardian

"However, I do feel that it is my duty as a journalist to see that a truthful account of the consequences of war is given".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

A truthful accounting of state repression in that era is required if we want to heal it, not making Shakur into a scapegoat.

Huffington Post

That diarist said they were solicited to write for nymag.com's "Grub Street Diet" feature, but declined out of concern that a truthful accounting of their food intake would disappoint.

Huffington Post

And so, as a break from the sad but true Afghanistan stories, here is an equally truthful account of what a few people I know do on a daily basis in Afghanistan.

Huffington Post

Even after the real killer, Rudy Guede, was apprehended, it seemed unlikely that a fully truthful account of what happened to Meredith Kercher would ever be known.

The New Yorker

Since Snowdon's friends must have consulted him before taking part (and Channel 4 must have nervously consulted lawyers), one takes it that he approved of a more truthful account emerging.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a truthful account" when you want to emphasize the reliability and accuracy of information, especially in contexts where honesty and integrity are paramount.

Common error

Don't assume that "a truthful account" is necessarily a complete one. While it should be free from falsehoods, it may not include every detail. Ensure your account is both truthful and sufficiently detailed for the intended purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a truthful account" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "truthful" modifies the noun "account". It indicates that the account provided is honest and accurate, as seen in Ludwig's examples from news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a truthful account" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a narrative or report that accurately reflects events or information. Ludwig highlights its frequent use in news and media, encyclopedias, and business contexts. While alternatives like "an accurate depiction" or "a factual report" exist, "a truthful account" specifically emphasizes honesty and integrity. When using this phrase, remember that truthfulness doesn't necessarily imply completeness. As Ludwig suggests, it's crucial to ensure both truthfulness and sufficient detail for the intended purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an accurate depiction

Replaces 'truthful' with 'accurate' and 'account' with 'depiction', focusing on the precision and correctness of the representation.

a factual report

Substitutes 'truthful' with 'factual' and 'account' with 'report', emphasizing the objective and verifiable nature of the information.

an honest portrayal

Replaces 'truthful' with 'honest' and 'account' with 'portrayal', highlighting the sincerity and integrity of the representation.

a genuine narrative

Emphasizes the authenticity of the story being told.

a candid version

Focuses on the frank and unreserved nature of the account.

a reliable record

Highlights the trustworthiness and dependability of the information presented.

a veracious statement

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the truthfulness of the information.

a faithful rendering

Emphasizes the loyalty and accuracy in representing the original events or information.

a precise description

Focuses on the exactness and meticulousness of the account.

a valid testimony

Highlights the legitimacy and soundness of the account as evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "a truthful account" in a sentence?

You can use "a truthful account" to describe narratives or reports that accurately reflect events or information, such as, "The witness provided "a truthful account" of the incident to the police."

What can I say instead of "a truthful account"?

Alternatives include "an accurate depiction", "a factual report", or "an honest portrayal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What distinguishes "a truthful account" from "a complete account"?

"A truthful account" focuses on the accuracy and honesty of the information presented, while "a complete account" emphasizes that all relevant details are included. An account can be truthful without being complete, and vice versa.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a truthful account"?

Use "a truthful account" when you need to emphasize the accuracy and integrity of a narrative or report. It's particularly suitable in legal, journalistic, or historical contexts where honesty is essential.