controversial fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "controversial fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a piece of information that is widely debated or disputed, yet is presented as a fact. Example: "The claim that climate change is primarily caused by human activity is often labeled as a controversial fact in political discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A reporter asked the candidates about a controversial fact of life in minority communities: Police each year frisk more than half a million young men, more than 80percentt of them black or Latino.

The New York Times

In fact, the postulates only appear after Kant thinks he has demonstrated the practical reality of freedom, which is known to us by the second Critique's famous (and, as we have seen, nearly as controversial) "fact of reason".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hair chopped and breasts tightly strapped like Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love, Wokalek starts this controversial fact-bender in disguise as a boy, but is soon overturning dogma and shagging hot men in lakes as she plays the woman who, most historians agree, probably wasn't actually pope for a few years in the 9th century.

The Guardian

None of these are controversial facts, all of these points are expected, so there is no particular reason to doubt the veracity of this leak.

Forbes

Politicians such as Senator Joseph McCarthy had manipulated reporter's belief in objectivity by stating controversial facts that were not supported by evidence with the full knowledge that reporters would publish their words without challenging them.

Huffington Post

It was a week or so prior to the general election of 2010, and we were running a promotion that asserted the (non-controversial) fact that the British electorate were capable of making their own minds up and would not be manipulated by vested interests.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like say, Eric Alterman, who simply points out the non-controversial fact that there are structural impediments to perfection.

Huffington Post

Williams points out the non-controversial fact that if young people get health insurance, it is obviously preferable to not having health insurance.

Huffington Post

The Democrats would be doing the country a disservice by seeking to one-up the Republicans with regards to making outrageous claims about their political opponents, but clearly stating obvious, and in some cases non-controversial, facts would be an interesting and novel approach.

Huffington Post

The claim, however, is at once narrower in scope and less controversial, in fact not controversial at all: if you continue smoking, one of the things likely to happen is that you'll end up on a slab.

The New York Times

As a piece of law, and as economics, the stimulus cannot be seen as very controversial; in fact, it is more or less conventional.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "controversial fact", ensure you provide context regarding why the fact is considered controversial. Offering differing perspectives or evidence can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "controversial fact" without acknowledging the nuances of the debate. Failing to address opposing viewpoints can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "controversial fact" functions as a noun phrase where "controversial" modifies the noun "fact". As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting a piece of information presented as a fact but subject to debate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "controversial fact" is used to describe a statement presented as a fact but subject to disagreement and debate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, though relatively rare in occurrence. When using this phrase, it's crucial to acknowledge the controversy and provide context to avoid misrepresentation. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by science. Alternatives such as "disputable fact" or "contested fact" can provide subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disputable fact

Focuses more on the contestable aspect of the fact.

contested fact

Emphasizes the active disagreement surrounding the fact.

debatable point

Shifts focus to the argumentative nature of the statement, rather than its supposed factual basis.

contentious issue

Highlights the controversial aspect, downplaying the factual component and framing it as a broader issue.

unverified claim

Questions the factual validity of the statement, emphasizing the lack of confirmation.

disputed assertion

Highlights the disagreement and the act of claiming something is true, even if others don't agree.

questionable information

Points out the uncertain or dubious nature of the presented information.

hotly debated topic

Focuses on the intensity of the debate, rather than the nature of the fact itself.

problematic truth

Highlights that the fact, while possibly true, presents difficulties or challenges.

polemical argument

Frames the statement as an aggressive or controversial argument, emphasizing its divisive nature.

FAQs

What does "controversial fact" mean?

A "controversial fact" refers to a piece of information presented as factual that is subject to widespread debate, disagreement, or skepticism. It implies that while some may consider it true, its validity is not universally accepted.

How do I use "controversial fact" in a sentence?

You can use "controversial fact" to introduce information that is disputed or debated, as in, "The politician presented the rising unemployment rate as a "controversial fact" during the debate."

What can I say instead of "controversial fact"?

Alternatives include "disputable fact", "contested fact", or "debatable point". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to present a "controversial fact" as a certainty?

No. Presenting a "controversial fact" as an absolute truth can be misleading. Acknowledge the controversy and provide context or evidence to support your statement while recognizing opposing viewpoints.