anything but true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything but true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is completely false or not accurate at all. Example: "His claims about the project were anything but true; the reality was far different."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Too many young people in the Baltic countries do not know their history, and the versions offered by Russian media outlets are anything but true.

The Economist

As a public figure, whether at age 16 or 31, she has never been anything but true to herself in front of us.

The New York Times - Sports

But some of his most outlandishly startling stories have nothing to do with drugs, and are too fantastical to be anything but true.

The Guardian

But around 2010 I discovered that this is anything but true — if anything, the end of the CD era and the shift to live performance as a source of income has brought on a renaissance of incredibly talented musicians.

The New York Times

Although she notes, with understatement, that Mr. McCain is known for his scratchy temper, the reader rarely sees him losing his cool or being anything but true, kind and fair.

The New York Times - Books

But only a cynic would suggest that a relationship between a reality-TV boy-band member and a country and western singer was anything but true love in our time.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The continuation of German trade with these countries appears possible, even if the war is of long duration". extremely secret memorandum, could have mentioned anything but his true purpose at that particular time.

Yale University

It is anything but a true battle for civil liberties, but rather an attempt to cash in on the votes that the crisis and the anger in society will make available.

The Guardian

We can make a commitment to ourselves that we will honor that money by not using it for anything but a true emergency.

Forbes

But we still have impressions to make and people to please, and despite that little voice inside of our head squeaking "Be yourself!", we sometimes end up portraying ourselves as anything but our true selves.

Huffington Post

Inhofe appears to be so dug into his ideological position and the negative attention he gets from it that it is impossible for him to be skeptical, or anything but a true believer in contrarianism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anything but true" to emphasize a strong disagreement with a statement, indicating that it is far from factual. For instance, "His version of events was anything but true."

Common error

Avoid using "anything but true" when a simple "not true" will suffice. This phrase is best reserved for situations where you want to express a strong sense of disbelief or contradiction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything but true" functions as an adjectival phrase used to strongly deny the veracity of a statement. It intensifies the negation, indicating that the statement is far from being accurate or factual. Ludwig's examples show usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "anything but true" is a powerful way to express strong disagreement with a statement, emphasizing that it is entirely false. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. While it is most frequently found in news and media, it also appears in academic settings. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where a simple denial is not enough, and you want to convey a strong sense of disbelief. When writing, consider alternatives such as "completely untrue" or "utterly false" to diversify your language. Be mindful of the context and avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply not true

Directly denies the veracity of something.

completely untrue

Highlights the absence of truth without exception.

a total lie

Categorizes the statement as an intentional untruth.

utterly false

Emphasizes the complete lack of truth.

patently false

Stresses that the falsehood is obvious and easily recognized.

pure fiction

Highlights the imaginary or invented nature of the statement.

far from the truth

Indicates a significant deviation from what is accurate.

wholly inaccurate

Focuses on the lack of accuracy and completeness.

devoid of truth

Suggests a complete absence of any factual basis.

fabricated entirely

Implies that something has been invented or made up.

FAQs

How can I use "anything but true" in a sentence?

Use "anything but true" to express that something is entirely false. For example, "The rumors about the company's financial health were "anything but true"."

What are some alternatives to "anything but true"?

Some alternatives include "completely untrue", "utterly false", or "simply not true". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not true" or "anything but true"?

"Not true" is a general denial, while ""anything but true"" implies a stronger contradiction or disbelief. Use the latter when you want to emphasize the falsity of a statement.

What's the difference between "anything but true" and "partially true"?

"Anything but true" means something is entirely false. "Partially true" means some aspects are accurate, but others are not. They are opposites in terms of accuracy.