deviation from reality

USAGE SUMMARY

"deviation from reality" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is untrue or a misrepresentation of the truth. For example, "The candidate's version of the events was a deviation from reality."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The treatment of averaging the total smoke formaldehyde yield as above may cause an unacceptable mechanistic deviation from reality.

Chemistry Central Journal

Whether dealing with outer space, the Southern slave trade, Somali pirates or Walt Disney, films have been called out this year for the least deviation from "reality" (a word Nabokov insisted routinely belongs within quotation marks).

Los Angeles Times

Different wavelengths with different ratios between the extinction coefficients for O2Hb, HHb and water will result in different degrees of deviation from reality if BWC is not taken into account.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There are small deviations from reality.

The Guardian - Books

The standard model has some clear deviations from reality.

Bioinformatics

The fact that the intervention group outperformed the experienced group in the second test indicates that the simulator does show deviations from reality.

Acta Orthopaedica

Since it can therefore be assumed that all cost studies deviate from reality in the same direction – with the extent of deviation being unclear – a comparison is possible and reasonable.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Sentences like these, almost imperceptible deviations from shared reality, prepare us for much larger and more obvious swerves, such as "Most things that happened didn't bother him at all, but others got inside of him and stuck: nothing to do then but cough them up," and "When he thought of it now his tongue stuck to his mouth and he felt so much love that he had to spit part of it out".

The New Yorker

They found that a large body of empirical material concerning so-called "exceptional experiences" can be classified according to their deviation from the conventional reality model of a subject and from the conventional relations between its components.

SEP

Any deviation from it belies truth and reality.

The New York Times

And the foreshortened, oversized hand is an obvious deviation from the consensus we call reality.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deviation from reality", ensure the context clearly indicates what the actual reality is for effective communication. Frame what you are describing as a departure from a verifiable or commonly understood truth.

Common error

Avoid labeling subjective opinions or interpretations as a "deviation from reality". The phrase is most effective when contrasting against objective facts or verifiable events, not personal feelings or beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deviation from reality" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes something that strays from what is considered true or factual. Ludwig AI identifies its acceptable usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deviation from reality" is used to describe a departure from what is considered factual or true. Ludwig AI confirms that it is acceptable in English and is often found in news, scientific, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies the actual reality being deviated from. While "deviation from reality" can be used in various settings, it's important to avoid misusing it to describe subjective opinions. Alternatives like "departure from the truth" or "distortion of reality" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departure from truth

Replaces "reality" with "truth", emphasizing a divergence from factual accuracy.

departure from fact

Substitutes "reality" with "fact", highlighting an inconsistency with verifiable information.

distortion of reality

Emphasizes the alteration or misrepresentation of actual events or situations.

misrepresentation of the facts

Focuses on inaccurate or misleading statements about specific events.

divorced from reality

Indicates a state of being disconnected or detached from real-world circumstances.

out of touch with reality

Highlights a lack of understanding or awareness of actual conditions.

a far cry from the truth

Emphasizes a significant discrepancy between a statement and reality.

inaccurate portrayal

Focuses on the flawed or incorrect depiction of events or individuals.

false representation

Highlights the deceptive presentation of information or events.

fictionalized account

Indicates that a story or description is based on imagination rather than fact.

FAQs

How can I use "deviation from reality" in a sentence?

You can use "deviation from reality" to describe something that is not true or a misrepresentation of the truth. For instance, "The politician's claims were a significant "deviation from reality"."

What's a good alternative to "deviation from reality"?

Alternatives include "departure from the truth", "distortion of reality", or "misrepresentation of the facts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "deviation from reality" a formal or informal expression?

"Deviation from reality" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news, science, and formal writing. Its appropriateness depends on the specific tone and audience of your writing.

What is the difference between "deviation from reality" and "detached from reality"?

"Deviation from reality" implies a distortion or misrepresentation of facts, whereas "detached from reality" suggests a disconnection or lack of awareness of actual circumstances. The former involves active alteration, while the latter involves passive unawareness.