deviates from the truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deviates from the truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing statements, claims, or representations that are not accurate or are misleading. Example: "The politician's statement deviates from the truth, as the facts clearly show otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perhaps Edmondson's lie was a genuine mistake, but in as far as a lie is a statement that deviates from the truth, his claim to have a psychology degree from Pacific Coast Baptist College in California was a lie.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Why were they suddenly in a position where deviating from the truth was even a temptation?

The Economist

I respect your job and everything but I cannot deviate from the truth.

Independent

Indeed, the public may have come to accept the reality that politicians must deviate from the truth from time to time to get elected.

The New York Times

According to the peak-to-peak range and spatial pattern of true coseismic gravity changes (under 300 km resolution, see Figure 2a), the retrieved signals in Figure 2c,d evidently deviate from the truth, indicating that the destriping could lead to obvious effect of reduction and distortion for coseismic gravity changes.

Earth, Planets and Space

Consequently, they will be less efficient when these prior guesses substantially deviate from the truth.

Archives of Toxicology

One useful feature of their method is that it shows when the model deviates from the ground truth data.

MIT Technology Review

The predicted distance, consequently, deviates from the ground truth slightly, but at the ending of the road, the errors remain small.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

But political embarrassment punishes misconduct, including the misconduct of staying on a message that deviates from the unvarnished truth.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, I was too late to see Argo, so instead I bought a ticket for Zero Dark Thirty, the Oscar-nominated, fiercely patriotic movie that deals with a top-secret CIA operation in the Middle East and has been criticised in some quarters for deviating somewhat from the truth.

The Guardian - Film

I had a similarly rewarding experience when I went to see Argo, the Oscar-winning, fiercely patriotic movie that deals with a top-secret CIA operation in the Middle East and has been criticised in some quarters for deviating somewhat from the truth.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deviates from the truth", consider the degree of intentionality. The phrase implies a departure from accuracy, but not necessarily a deliberate lie. Choose it when you want to highlight the inaccuracy without definitively assigning malicious intent.

Common error

Avoid using "deviates from the truth" when you want to emphasize a blatant lie. This phrase is more appropriate when the inaccuracy might stem from error, bias, or misinterpretation rather than a deliberate attempt to deceive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deviates from the truth" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a statement, account, or representation that is not entirely accurate. As Ludwig AI confirms, this suggests some level of inaccuracy, as shown in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deviates from the truth" is grammatically correct and functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that something is not entirely accurate. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is suitable for expressing discrepancies without necessarily implying intentional deceit. While relatively rare, its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts including news, science, and professional communication. When using this phrase, consider the level of intentionality you want to convey and the specific context in which you are writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not entirely truthful

Suggests a partial deviation from the truth, implying some elements may be accurate while others are not.

strays from the facts

Highlights a departure from verifiable information, suggesting a less deliberate deviation than a lie.

is a far cry from the truth

Emphasizes a significant difference between a statement and the actual truth, indicating a substantial degree of inaccuracy.

departs from reality

Focuses on a disconnect between a statement and the actual state of affairs, emphasizing the unreality of the deviation.

is economical with the truth

Suggests that someone is deliberately omitting or downplaying certain facts to create a misleading impression.

misrepresents the truth

Indicates an active distortion of reality, implying a deliberate attempt to create a false impression.

bends the truth

Implies manipulation of facts to fit a particular narrative, suggesting a milder form of deception.

distorts the reality

Similar to "misrepresents the truth" but focuses on altering the perception of reality rather than specific facts.

plays fast and loose with the truth

Implies a careless or reckless disregard for accuracy, suggesting a willingness to exaggerate or distort facts for effect.

colors the truth

Suggests adding subjective elements or interpretations to the truth, potentially leading to a biased or skewed perspective.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "deviates from the truth"?

When something "deviates from the truth", it means it moves away from or doesn't align with reality or factual accuracy. This doesn't necessarily imply an intentional lie, but rather an inaccuracy or departure from what is correct.

How can I use "deviates from the truth" in a sentence?

You can use "deviates from the truth" to describe a statement, account, or representation that isn't entirely accurate. For example: "The politician's explanation "deviates from the truth", according to documented evidence."

Which is correct: "deviates from the truth" or "departs from the truth"?

Both "deviates from the truth" and "departs from the truth" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "deviates" suggests a more gradual or subtle departure, while "departs" can imply a more distinct or significant shift.

What are some alternatives to saying something "deviates from the truth"?

Alternatives include "is not entirely truthful", "strays from the facts", or "misrepresents the truth", depending on the intended nuance and context.