atom of truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "atom of truth" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that may be small or insignificant, but still contains some element of truth. For example: "The gossip about the teacher's sudden departure had only an atom of truth, as it was later revealed that the teacher had been granted a sabbatical leave from the school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The atom of truth in this – or the grain of received wisdom – doesn't excuse you".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Also new and specifically net-enabled is something I call "retro-truth", which marks a deep existential and ethical shift for humanity, in which a proposition is judged not by whether it is true or false when stated, but whether it has the potential to become true – whether it contains the possibility of truth, like energy waiting to be released from an atom.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moment of truth.

The New Yorker

Fountain of truth?

The Economist

Endless truths destroy the notion of truth.

Forbes

The moment of truth.

Forbes

Moment Of Truth For Solar.

Forbes

The moment of truth came.

Forbes

Furthermore, McGee suggests that this behavior of truth and definite truth makes truth a vague predicate.

SEP

Distinguish truth from appearances of truth.

WikiHow

In truth, each heart-breath is an atom of life-force being born one more time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "atom of truth" to acknowledge that even in misleading or false statements, there might be a small, underlying truth.

Common error

Avoid using "atom of truth" when the statement in question is overwhelmingly false. The phrase implies that there's a discernible element of truth, however small, which may not always be the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "atom of truth" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It signifies a small but identifiable element of truth within a larger context that may be false or misleading. Ludwig confirms that it is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "atom of truth" is a noun phrase used to indicate a small but significant element of truth within a statement that is otherwise questionable or inaccurate. Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and usable phrase. While relatively rare, its use is appropriate in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. Related phrases include "kernel of truth" and "grain of truth". A key best practice is to use the phrase when there is a discernible element of truth, however small, and to avoid overstating its significance when the statement is overwhelmingly false.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kernel of truth

Replaces "atom" with "kernel", emphasizing the central or essential part of the truth.

grain of truth

Substitutes "atom" with "grain", suggesting a small, almost imperceptible amount of truth.

element of truth

Uses "element" instead of "atom", focusing on a basic component of truth.

hint of truth

Replaces "atom" with "hint", indicating a subtle or indirect suggestion of truth.

iota of truth

Substitutes "atom" with "iota", emphasizing a very small quantity of truth.

trace of truth

Uses "trace" instead of "atom", highlighting a barely detectable amount of truth.

speck of truth

Replaces "atom" with "speck", indicating a tiny particle of truth.

semblance of truth

Substitutes "atom" with "semblance", suggesting an appearance or imitation of truth.

morsel of truth

Uses "morsel" instead of "atom", indicating a small piece of truth.

fragment of truth

Replaces "atom" with "fragment", emphasizing a broken or incomplete piece of truth.

FAQs

How can I use "atom of truth" in a sentence?

You can use "atom of truth" to acknowledge a small element of truth within a larger falsehood. For example, "While the politician's claims were mostly exaggerated, there was an "atom of truth" to his concerns about the economy".

What's a good alternative to "atom of truth"?

Alternatives to "atom of truth" include phrases like "kernel of truth", "grain of truth", or "element of truth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "atom of truth" in formal writing?

Yes, "atom of truth" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its appropriateness depends more on the context and intended meaning than the formality of the writing style.

What does "atom of truth" imply about the statement being described?

"Atom of truth" implies that the statement in question is largely untrue or misleading, but contains a small, possibly overlooked, element of verifiable truth. It suggests the need for careful discernment.