apparent truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparent truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a truth that seems evident or obvious, but may not necessarily be accurate or genuine. Example: "While the apparent truth of the situation was clear to everyone, deeper investigation revealed complexities that were not initially visible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

All of which highlights one apparent truth: Top to bottom, this is still Princeton's league.

Princeton University

This doesn't feel like a prophecy; it feels like a simple statement of the apparent truth.

The New Yorker

It also blinds him to the widely apparent truth that his politics are not simply incorrect — they're also wrong.

The New Yorker

It also blinds him to the widely apparent truth that his politics are not simply incorrect they're also wrong.

The New Yorker

We take special pleasure, Mr. Johnson goes on perceptively to observe, "when the repressed truth can be shown to contradict the apparent truth of the surface".

The New York Times - Arts

Thirdly, persuasion is effected through the speech itself when we have proved a truth or an apparent truth by means of the persuasive arguments suitable to the case in question.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Through artwork and text labels, it tells the often vivid tale of an innovative artist who becomes so successful at manipulating the apparent truths of photographs into propaganda that it costs him his life.

The New York Times - Arts

The promise of employing nonexistent objects in explaining apparent truths about fiction is one of the theory's main virtues.

SEP

There are plenty more examples of similar apparent truths being put forward, and the trend has to a large extent normalised a debate that should be anything but normal.

Vice

The second type of apparent modal truth, however, is more challenging.

SEP

For instance, the London riots, which were provoked by a "state murder" of a young man, sparked the violent and anarchic riots with no apparent "enduring truth" (21).

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apparent truth" to introduce a statement or situation that seems true at first glance, but might be misleading or incomplete upon closer examination. It is particularly useful in scenarios where you want to express skepticism or suggest further investigation is needed.

Common error

Avoid treating the "apparent truth" as a definitive fact without verifying it. The phrase implies a degree of uncertainty or potential deception. Always investigate further before drawing conclusions.

Linguistic Context

Apparent truth functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically introduces a concept that seems true on the surface but may not be accurate upon closer inspection. Ludwig AI examples show how it is used to present a seemingly obvious but potentially misleading fact or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apparent truth" is a noun phrase used to describe something that seems true but may not be upon closer examination. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status. It is commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, suggesting its versatility across different domains. The phrase implies a degree of skepticism or uncertainty, inviting further scrutiny. While it's a well-established phrase, it's crucial to avoid treating the "apparent truth" as a definitive fact without verification. Alternatives include "seeming reality" or "perceived truth", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perceived truth

Highlights that the truth is based on individual perception, which might be subjective.

seeming reality

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of what is perceived as real.

illusory truth

Emphasizes the misleading nature of a seeming truth.

ostensible fact

Highlights that something is presented as a fact, but its validity may be questionable.

superficial reality

Focuses on the lack of depth and potential misleading nature of a perceived reality.

outward appearance of truth

Explicitly describes the external presentation of truth, without confirming its accuracy.

surface-level truth

Implies that a deeper investigation is required to understand the full truth.

provisional truth

Suggests that the truth is temporary and may change with new information.

presumptive truth

Indicates that the truth is assumed but not yet proven.

alleged truth

Highlights that something is claimed to be true, but without confirmation.

FAQs

How can I use "apparent truth" in a sentence?

You can use "apparent truth" to describe something that seems true initially but might be misleading. For example, "The "apparent truth" was that the company was profitable, but further investigation revealed significant debts."

What's a good alternative to "apparent truth"?

Alternatives include "seeming reality", "perceived truth", or "ostensible fact", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "apparent truth" the same as "actual truth"?

No, "apparent truth" suggests a truth that is evident or obvious on the surface, while "actual truth" refers to the real or genuine truth, which may require deeper investigation. The "apparent truth" can sometimes mask the actual truth.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "apparent truth"?

It is appropriate to use "apparent truth" when you want to introduce a statement that seems factual or obvious, but you suspect or know that it might be deceptive, incomplete, or subject to change.