banal truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "banal truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a truth that is obvious, unoriginal, or lacking in depth, often to emphasize its simplicity or commonness. Example: "While it may seem like a banal truth, the importance of honesty in relationships cannot be overstated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Of course, what I just said is the most banal truth there is.

The New Yorker

Having reiterated that banal truth, let us acknowledge that making art may be useless, but even made badly it is also indispensable.

The New York Times - Arts

(Of course the banal truth is that they're clerks - but that won't do: no one ever escaped into a better life without the aid of imagination).

The Guardian - Books

Either way, processing such profound disagreement is valuable, if only because it offers a visceral experience of a banal truth: that all art is radically subjective, and the rest is interpretation.

The New York Times

Through flashes of sarcasm and unexpected weeping – Paul at first maintains, to his intrusive sister, that his job is to "cash Dad's checks and spend the money on child sex labourers down at the shipyard" – a more banal truth emerges.

The Guardian - Books

The "greatest living tenor" hype, the emphasis on his physical attributes, the internet rumours (emphatically denied) of a liaison with Madonna following the breakup of his marriage last year, all obscure the more banal truth that he is a singer with a deep commitment to opera, to the grind of living, breathing stage performances.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For Brown, the real - rather banal - truth of Swedish society is the tension created by the imposition of a minority metropolitan liberalism on a fundamentally conservative nation.

The Guardian - Books

The banal moral truth is that children are the future, paying for the care of the childless.

The Guardian - Opinion

That way they too would be reminded of that banal but powerful truth, that underneath the skull caps and the headscarves, whether we eat chicken soup or chicken jalfrezi, we really are more similar than we are different.

The Guardian - Film

"Today, we have to finally begin to remind ourselves of this banal, and perhaps boring truth: the only alternative [to the EU] is political chaos, the return to national egoisms, and in consequence, the triumph of anti-democratic tendencies, which can lead to history repeating itself".

The Guardian

In the best traditions of Malcolm Gladwell, he takes a banal and well-known truth – that drinking a moderate amount of red wine is healthy – and pretends it's some kind of shocking revelation that some indefinable cabal of wine-hoarding misers don't want you to know about.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "banal truth" to introduce a statement that, while fundamentally true, is often overlooked or dismissed due to its simplicity. This can create a sense of irony or emphasize the importance of revisiting basic principles.

Common error

Avoid using "banal truth" excessively, as it can make your writing sound condescending or dismissive. Reserve it for situations where highlighting the obvious is strategically effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "banal truth" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or appositive. It identifies a truth that is considered commonplace, obvious, or unoriginal. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "banal truth" describes an obvious, commonplace fact. While seemingly simple, its usage can be strategic, highlighting the importance of often-overlooked principles or introducing a topic by acknowledging a basic truth. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. However, it's crucial to avoid overuse, as it can make your writing sound condescending. Consider alternatives like "commonplace truth" or "obvious truism" to vary your expression. In essence, "banal truth" is a reminder that even the most basic truths deserve recognition and thoughtful consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Commonplace truth

Emphasizes the widespread acceptance and lack of originality of the truth.

Obvious truism

Highlights the self-evident and undeniable nature of the statement.

Trite reality

Suggests that the truth has become stale and uninteresting through overuse.

Everyday fact

Focuses on the routine and ordinary nature of the truth.

Mundane actuality

Emphasizes the lack of excitement or interest in the truth.

Unoriginal insight

Points out that the truth is not novel or innovative.

Pedestrian verity

Implies the truth is ordinary and unremarkable.

Hackneyed truth

Highlights the overused and clichéd nature of the truth.

Stale observation

Indicates that the truth has lost its freshness and impact.

Platitudinous statement

Refers to a statement that is dull, empty, or self-evident.

FAQs

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

You can use "banal truth" to introduce a statement that is obviously true but often ignored. For example, "While it may seem like a "banal truth", consistent effort is key to achieving long-term goals."

What phrases are similar to "banal truth"?

Alternatives to "banal truth" include "commonplace truth", "obvious truism", and "trite reality", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as a "banal truth"?

Not necessarily. While "banal" often carries a negative connotation, describing something as a "banal truth" can also be a way to emphasize the fundamental importance of something that is often taken for granted.

What's the difference between "banal truth" and "simple truth"?

"Simple truth" refers to a truth that is easy to understand, while "banal truth" refers to a truth that is so obvious it is often uninteresting or overlooked. A "simple truth" may not be banal, and a "banal truth" may not always be simple to grasp initially.