an untrue statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an untrue statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a claim or assertion that is false or not accurate. Example: "The report contained an untrue statement that misled the readers about the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

That would have been an untrue statement.

Columbia University

There is nothing about his illegal removal, however, to demonstrate that he was thereby forced to make an untrue statement.

Cornell University

It seems to be easier for people to lie by affirming an untrue statement than by negating a true statement.

Harvard Business Review

LESLIE JOHN: It turns out that it's easier for people to lie by affirming an untrue statement than to lie by negating a true statement.

Harvard Business Review

On days without an untrue statement, he is often absent from Twitter, vacationing at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, or busy golfing.

The New York Times

They have sworn in front of a notary that, "to the best of my knowledge", their latest annual and quarterly reports neither contain an "untrue statement" nor omit any "material fact" (see article).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b 5 makes it unlawful to (a) "employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud," (b) "make any untrue statement of a material fact," or (c) "engage in any act, practice, or course of business" that "operates..

Cornell University

Rule 10b-5(b) provides that it shall be unlawful "[t]o make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading". 17 CFR § 240.10b-5(b) (1979).

Cornell University

These subsections respectively provide that it is unlawful "(t)o make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading..

Cornell University

As we have said, subsection (a) of the Rule makes it unlawful to "employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud". Subsection (b) makes it unlawful to "make any untrue statement of a material fact". And subsection (c) makes it unlawful to "engage in any act, practice, or course of business" that "operates..

Cornell University

Instead, the SEC charged Lorenzo as a primary violator of multiple securities laws, 1 including Rule 10b 5(b), which prohibits "mak[ing] any untrue statement of a material fact... in connection with the purchase or sale of any security". 17 CFR §240.10b 5(b) (2018); see Ernst & Ernst v. Hochfelder, 425 U. S. 185, 212 214 (1976) (construing Rule 10b 5(b) to require scienter).

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts where you want to emphasize the deceptive nature of the statement, consider using alternatives like "a misleading representation" or "a deceptive claim".

Common error

Avoid labeling subjective opinions as "an untrue statement." This phrase applies specifically to verifiable facts. For subjective claims, consider using phrases like "a questionable viewpoint" or "a disputable assertion."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an untrue statement" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies something said or written that is not in accordance with fact. Ludwig AI states the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an untrue statement" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a declaration that deviates from the truth. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Its frequency is classified as uncommon, with primary contexts being news, academia, and legal settings. When using this phrase, it's crucial to apply it to verifiable facts rather than subjective opinions. Consider alternatives such as "a false statement" or "a misleading representation" depending on the desired nuance and context. Avoid confusing the term with opinions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a false declaration

Replaces 'statement' with 'declaration', implying a formal assertion that is untrue.

an inaccurate assertion

Substitutes 'untrue' with 'inaccurate' and 'statement' with 'assertion', softening the connotation of deliberate falsehood.

a fabricated account

Emphasizes the invented nature of the statement, suggesting it was deliberately created.

a misleading representation

Focuses on the deceptive effect of the statement, rather than its truthfulness.

a deceptive claim

Highlights the intention to deceive through the statement.

a spurious allegation

Suggests the statement is not only untrue, but also lacks valid basis or evidence.

a distorted portrayal

Implies the statement twists or exaggerates the truth.

a fallacious argument

Identifies the statement as a flawed or misleading line of reasoning.

a misrepresented fact

Indicates a fact has been presented inaccurately or falsely.

a baseless assertion

Underlines the lack of factual support for the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "an untrue statement" in a sentence?

You can use "an untrue statement" to describe a factual claim that is incorrect. For example, "The company's financial report contained "an untrue statement" about its profits."

What's the difference between "an untrue statement" and "a lie"?

"An untrue statement" refers to a statement that is factually incorrect, regardless of intent. "A lie" implies an intention to deceive. You can use ""an untrue statement"" without accusing someone of lying.

What can I say instead of "an untrue statement"?

Alternatives include "a false statement", "an inaccurate assertion", or "a misleading representation", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "an untrue statement" formal or informal?

"An untrue statement" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's appropriate for legal, academic, and news contexts. For more informal situations, you might use simpler terms like "wrong" or "not true".