close to the truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to the truth" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is almost exactly true or accurate. You can use it in a sentence when talking about a statement, idea, or information that is mostly true but may have some small errors or inaccuracies. Example: While the newspaper article was close to the truth, there were a few details that were incorrect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That may be close to the truth.

The Economist

Is this close to the truth?

Cornell University

"It's frighteningly close to the truth.

The Guardian

How close to the truth is that?

The New Yorker

That is very close to the truth.

The Guardian

Moreover, both will be telling something close to the truth.

The Economist

Now, it may be at least close to the truth.

The New Yorker

Often that presentation was pretty close to the truth.

The New York Times

That's awfully close to the truth of what happened".

The New York Times

It happens to be something very close to the truth.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Still, Shmurda's lyrics seemed to veer uncomfortably close to the truth.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to the truth" when you want to convey that something is not entirely accurate but contains a significant degree of truth. It suggests a nuanced understanding rather than a binary true/false assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "close to the truth" when describing something that is completely false. This phrase implies a degree of accuracy, so it's inappropriate for situations where information is entirely fabricated or misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to the truth" typically functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the degree of accuracy or veracity associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to the truth" is a versatile expression used to indicate a high degree of accuracy without claiming absolute precision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. Its meaning centers on conveying that something is substantially accurate, even if minor details are lacking or imprecise. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the subject matter genuinely aligns with reality, avoiding its application to situations where information is completely fabricated. Alternatives such as "nearly accurate" or "substantially correct" may be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly accurate

Focuses on the level of correctness achieved.

almost factual

Highlights the alignment with facts.

substantially correct

Emphasizes the significant degree of truth.

in the right ballpark

An idiomatic expression indicating a reasonable approximation.

not far from reality

Indicates a small deviation from what is real.

verging on truth

Suggests approaching the state of being true.

approximating reality

Highlights the act of getting closer to a real state.

bordering on accurate

Similar to 'verging', emphasizing the closeness to accuracy.

akin to the truth

Implies a resemblance to the truth without being exact.

in the vicinity of truth

Suggests being near to the truth, but not necessarily very close.

FAQs

How can I use "close to the truth" in a sentence?

You can use "close to the truth" to describe a statement, idea, or information that is mostly correct but may contain minor inaccuracies. For example: "His account of the events was "close to the truth", but he omitted a few important details."

What are some alternatives to saying "close to the truth"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "nearly accurate", "almost factual", or "substantially correct".

Is it appropriate to use "close to the truth" in formal writing?

Yes, "close to the truth" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its neutrality makes it versatile across various contexts.

What's the difference between "close to the truth" and "the truth"?

"The truth" implies complete accuracy, while "close to the truth" suggests an approximation. The latter acknowledges that some details may be missing or incorrect.