disputable fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disputable fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or assertion that can be challenged or questioned regarding its truthfulness or validity. Example: "While many believe that climate change is a hoax, the evidence presented by scientists makes it a disputable fact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Jon Corzine's going to say with 10 times as much money that he's honest and Doug Forrester is corrupt -- and it's a disputable fact -- and Jon Corzine's money is going to win that argument".

The New York Times

"If you look at what Doug's doing right now," Mr. Schundler said to a reporter at the time, "he's saying, 'I'm honest and my opponent's corrupt.' Jon Corzine's going to say with 10 times as much money that he's honest and Doug Forrester is corrupt -- and it's a disputable fact -- and Jon Corzine's money is going to win that argument".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, he had 10 times as much money for television as I did -- and I realize now that when you run a campaign about what may be disputable facts, whoever has more money for television wins the argument.

The New York Times

This is disputable given the fact that physical therapists in private practice, in general, see more patients with different indications each day than therapists in nursing homes.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

But however theoretically convincing the distinction between having created the ideas as opposed to merely having disseminated them may seem, this is in actual fact quite disputable.

SEP

And though its methods are disputable, few dispute the justice of its cause.

The Economist

We might realize that the facts are less disputable than we'd like to believe, and we might realize that, ultimately, we're all telling different parts of the same story.

Huffington Post

To get back beyond disputable history, to the last agreed-upon fact, means starting nearly all the way back – to the Paleozoic era, more than 250m years ago, when all the earth's land made up a supercontinent geologists call Pangaea.

The Guardian

This claim is disputable, as it seems a contingent matter whether the relevant particular facts arrange themselves in ways susceptible to general summary and whether our cognitive apparatus can cope with them at all without employing general principles.

SEP

These claims were disputable, but the great strength and wide geographical spread of communist organization was a fact.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Likewise, Zeman's protests over a possible offside in the build-up to Udinese's second goal against Roma – as well as the disputable nature of the penalty award that led to their winner – should not distract from the fact that his team once again imploded in dramatic fashion at home.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disputable fact", provide context or evidence to support your assertion that the fact is indeed disputable. Explain why it is open to debate.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "disputable fact" as if it were universally accepted. Acknowledge the differing viewpoints or the basis for the dispute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disputable fact" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'disputable' modifies the noun 'fact'. It indicates that the 'fact' is not universally accepted and is open to challenge or debate. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disputable fact" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a statement presented as a fact, yet open to debate or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is acceptable but infrequent. It is most commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the need to provide context explaining why the fact is disputable and avoid presenting it as a universally accepted truth. Alternative phrases like "contested fact" or "debatable fact" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Contested fact

Emphasizes that the fact is actively challenged or opposed.

Debatable fact

Highlights that the fact is open to discussion and argument.

Questionable fact

Suggests doubt or uncertainty about the fact's validity.

Arguable point

Shifts the focus from a definitive fact to a point that can be argued.

Dubious assertion

Implies a lack of credibility or reliability in the statement.

Controversial claim

Indicates that the statement is likely to provoke disagreement or opposition.

Disputable evidence

Focuses on the evidence supporting the claim being questionable.

Mixed fact

Highlights that the fact is not clear or fully understood, there is contradictory information.

Disputable matter

Indicates that the fact is a subject of debate and disagreement.

Problematic fact

Suggests that the fact poses difficulties or raises concerns.

FAQs

How can I use "disputable fact" in a sentence?

You can use "disputable fact" to introduce a statement that is not universally accepted or is subject to debate. For example, "The claim that vaccines cause autism is a "disputable fact", as numerous studies have disproven this link."

What's a more formal way to say "disputable fact"?

More formal alternatives include "contested fact" or "debatable fact". These phrases carry a similar meaning but might be more suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is "disputable fact" the same as "false fact"?

No, "disputable fact" doesn't necessarily mean it's false, just that its truth is not fully established or agreed upon. A "false fact" is simply incorrect.

What can I say instead of "disputable fact"?

You can use alternatives like "contested fact", "debatable fact", or "questionable fact" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.