essentially true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is mostly accurate or valid, even if there are some minor exceptions or nuances. Example: "While the report contains some inaccuracies, the overall conclusion is essentially true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Essentially true.

The New York Times

Is "essentially true" good enough?

The New Yorker

It's essentially true.

Harvard Business Review

The same is essentially true for men.

The New York Times

The ruse works because it is essentially true.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Your basic assumption, Stuart, that every detail is carefully considered, is essentially true.

The New York Times

I could even have said: "It is also deeply moving and essentially true".

The Guardian - Books

But now we have a new rumour, and one that seems to be essentially true.

The Guardian - Books

His novel compels belief because it corresponds to a world we feel to be essentially true.

The New York Times - Books

Whether some, all, or none of the above was essentially true, Krause's reputation suffered.

The New York Times - Sports

This view of Leonardo is essentially true, but it does leave something out.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially true" to acknowledge minor inaccuracies or exceptions while affirming the overall validity of a statement. This adds nuance and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially true" when the statement is significantly inaccurate or misleading. Instead, qualify the statement with specific corrections or provide additional context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially true" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies the adjective "true". It indicates a degree of truth, suggesting that something is mostly accurate or valid, even if not entirely so. Ludwig examples show this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essentially true" is a versatile expression used to indicate a qualified affirmation. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it's grammatically correct and very common, appearing in various contexts, most frequently in news and media. It conveys that something is mostly accurate while acknowledging minor exceptions. Related phrases like "largely accurate" and "mostly correct" provide alternative ways to express similar meanings. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the inaccuracies aren't significant enough to mislead the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely accurate

Emphasizes the high degree of accuracy with allowance for minor inaccuracies.

mostly correct

Indicates that the statement is correct in most aspects, but not necessarily entirely.

generally valid

Suggests widespread or common agreement or truth, focusing on acceptance.

substantially accurate

Highlights the significant level of correctness, focusing on the substance of the statement.

primarily factual

Stresses that the content is mainly based on facts, although interpretations may vary.

basically correct

Highlights fundamental correctness, with a sense that details might need refinement.

accurate in essence

Indicates that the core meaning or point is accurate, even if details differ.

fundamentally sound

Implies that the underlying principles or basis are true and reliable.

true in principle

Focuses on the theoretical correctness of the statement.

verifiable in the main

Suggests the statement can be verified for the most part, but complete verification may not be possible.

FAQs

How can I use "essentially true" in a sentence?

You can use "essentially true" to indicate that something is mostly accurate, even if there are some minor inaccuracies. For example, "While some details were embellished, the story was "essentially true"."

What's a good alternative to "essentially true"?

Alternatives to "essentially true" include "largely accurate", "mostly correct", or "substantially accurate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "essentially true" or "completely true"?

"Essentially true" acknowledges some level of imperfection or inaccuracy, while "completely true" implies absolute accuracy. Use "essentially true" when there are minor exceptions, and "completely true" when there are none.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "essentially true"?

Avoid using "essentially true" if the inaccuracies are significant or if the statement is deliberately misleading. In such cases, it's better to be more precise and acknowledge the specific inaccuracies.