avoiding the fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoiding the fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's tendency to ignore or not acknowledge a particular truth or reality. Example: "He was avoiding the fact that he had made a significant mistake in his calculations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

There was no avoiding the fact that he sounded worried.

The Guardian - Sport

But there's no avoiding the fact that salaries are too low in engineering.

The Guardian

Even without Dilnot, there is no avoiding the fact that social care needs more money.

Independent

There is no avoiding the fact that this is technical philosophy... [yet]nothing in it is inaccessible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There is no avoiding the fact: these are desperadoes from a dysfunctional land, who terrorize in the hope of reward.

The New Yorker

There's no avoiding the fact that our region, like other coastlines across the planet, face a future of severe weather and more disasters like Sandy.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

But the impact of avoiding the facts leads Medicare to spend 25percentt of its $670 billion budget on patients' last year of life.

The Washington Post

Avoiding the facts was his way of finding solace.

Huffington Post

But the Post articles seem to be deliberately avoiding the facts.

Vice

Unfortunately, as more of our future lions fall to these gunmen in the American Pride Land, those claiming to be Mufasas are avoiding the facts.

Huffington Post

51 As in our study, the minority of patients may prefer non-disclosure and find hope in avoiding the facts.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avoiding the fact", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific fact is being ignored or evaded to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "avoiding the fact" without specifying the particular fact being avoided. Vague usage weakens the statement and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoiding the fact" functions as a verbal phrase or gerund phrase, often acting as a noun substitute within a clause. It describes the action of evading or ignoring a particular truth. As indicated by Ludwig, this is used to express the intentional act of not acknowledging a specific reality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoiding the fact" is a commonly used phrase that describes the action of ignoring or evading a particular truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and generally accepted in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and academic contexts and serves to highlight a discrepancy between reality and perception. When using "avoiding the fact", ensure you specify the fact being avoided to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "ignoring the truth" or "evading the reality" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignoring the truth

Shifts focus to actively disregarding what is true.

evading the reality

Implies actively escaping or dodging the actual situation.

overlooking the reality

Suggests a failure to notice or consider the significance of something.

shying away from the truth

Highlights a reluctance to confront an uncomfortable truth.

turning a blind eye to the reality

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to acknowledge something.

disregarding the evidence

Focuses on ignoring factual support for a claim.

downplaying the significance

Minimizes the importance or impact of a particular fact.

brushing aside the issue

Implies dismissing or disregarding a problem or concern.

refusing to acknowledge the reality

Highlights a deliberate and conscious rejection of a certain state of affairs.

being in denial about the truth

Implies a psychological state where someone is unable or unwilling to accept reality.

FAQs

How can I use "avoiding the fact" in a sentence?

You can use "avoiding the fact" to describe a situation where someone is consciously or unconsciously ignoring a truth. For example: "He was avoiding the fact that his business was failing."

What are some alternatives to saying "avoiding the fact"?

Alternatives include "ignoring the truth", "evading the reality", or "overlooking the reality". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "avoiding the fact" or "ignoring the fact"?

Both "avoiding the fact" and "ignoring the fact" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Avoiding" suggests a deliberate attempt to evade something, while "ignoring" can imply a lack of awareness or a conscious decision to disregard something.

What's the difference between "avoiding the fact" and "denying the fact"?

"Avoiding the fact" implies that someone knows the truth but is choosing not to confront it. "Denying the fact", on the other hand, suggests a stronger rejection of the truth, potentially indicating disbelief or a refusal to accept reality. The degree of separation between the person and the truth is higher when "being in denial".