correspond to reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "correspond to reality" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the correspondence between a concept, idea, opinion, or perception and an established fact or truth. For example, "Although his opinion of the situation was optimistic, it did not correspond to reality. In fact, the situation was much worse than he had imagined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Statements are true when they correspond to reality, but only because corresponding to reality is what statements are for.

SEP

The objection makes use of the following line of reasoning: "If truth is correspondence, then, since knowledge requires truth, we have to know that our beliefs correspond to reality, if we are to know anything about reality".

SEP

But they don't always correspond to reality.

The New Yorker

"Those words do not correspond to reality," Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Otherwise, the outward appearance of intramural harmony seems to correspond to reality.

The New York Times

A spokesman told the RIA Novosti news agency: "The information does not correspond to reality.

Independent

"The facts recorded in the police report," she said bluntly, "do not correspond to reality".

The New York Times

Truth was seen as making logical propositions that correspond to reality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Iranian claim "did not correspond to reality," said the agency, the Federal Military and Technical Cooperation Service.

The New York Times

He said the scandal had painted an "exaggeratedly negative" picture of the Vatican, which "doesn't correspond to reality".

The New York Times

However, the way the Norwegian relationship with the EU is portrayed does not necessarily correspond to reality as I have experienced it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When accuracy and precision are paramount, use "correspond to reality" to stress that a concept, theory, or prediction aligns with observable evidence. This is especially useful in scientific and analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "correspond to reality" in purely subjective contexts where personal opinions or feelings are being expressed. The phrase is best suited for objective statements that can be verified against factual information. For instance, instead of saying "My feelings correspond to reality", consider rephrasing to something like "My feelings are grounded in my experiences."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "correspond to reality" functions as a predicate in sentences, asserting a relationship of agreement or alignment between a concept, statement, or model and the actual state of things. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase suggests accuracy or truthfulness in relation to observable facts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "correspond to reality" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a close alignment between a statement, theory, or model and the actual state of affairs. Ludwig AI highlights its usage across diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. This phrase serves to emphasize the veracity and factual basis of information. While versatile, it is best employed in objective contexts where verifiable accuracy is crucial, avoiding overuse in subjective or personal domains. Alternatives such as ""align with reality"" or ""match reality"" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

align with reality

Emphasizes agreement or conformity with the actual state of affairs.

match reality

Highlights a direct equivalence or mirroring of the actual situation.

reflect reality

Suggests a faithful representation or image of the real world.

accord with reality

Indicates harmony or agreement with the true facts.

be consistent with reality

Focuses on the absence of contradiction with what is true.

square with reality

Implies a reconciliation or alignment with actual events.

be in line with reality

Highlights a position of agreement or accordance with the true state of things.

fit with reality

Suggests a harmonious integration or compatibility with the actual world.

be true to reality

Emphasizes faithfulness and accuracy in representing the actual situation.

be grounded in reality

Highlights the foundation or basis in real-world facts and conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "correspond to reality" in a sentence?

You can use "correspond to reality" to indicate that something aligns with facts or observable evidence. For example, "The economist's predictions did not "align with reality", as the actual economic growth was significantly lower than expected."

What are some alternatives to "correspond to reality"?

Some alternatives include "align with reality", "match reality", and "reflect reality". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "correspond to reality" or "corresponds to reality"?

"Correspond to reality" is used when referring to a general concept, while "corresponds to reality" is used when referring to a specific subject. For example, "These theories must correspond to reality" versus "This theory corresponds to reality".

What is the difference between "correspond to reality" and "conforms to reality"?

"Correspond to reality" emphasizes a direct relationship or agreement with facts, while "conforms to reality" suggests compliance or adherence to a standard of truth. "Correspond" indicates a match, whereas "conform" suggests following a pre-existing pattern.