fact of experience

USAGE SUMMARY

"fact of experience" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a knowledge or understanding that has been gained through experience. For example: "The fact of experience tells us that making a career change can be a difficult process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But, as a pure fact of experience ("rein erfahrungsgemäß"), experiments that serve to provide such a definition for one quantity are subject to particular indeterminacies, obeying relations (2 -(4) which prohibit them from providing a simultaneous definition of two canonically conjugate quantities.

SEP

Her greatness, a fact of experience, remains imperfectly understood.

The New Yorker

It's a fact of experience that the appearance of artists and galleries in low-income areas reliably portends rising real-estate values, with dire consequences for many residents.

The New Yorker

If something is a fact of experience and yet ought not to be so i.e., is rationally unintelligible then this must be false.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One may reject the notion that madness is somehow liberating (I do), but it's a fact of experience, familiar from Outsider art, that painful dissociation can produce impressions of aesthetic cogency.

The New Yorker

Charles Sanders Peirce wrote of "thisness," of the brute fact of experience that we encounter in everyday sensation; but not even the most realistic of American philosophers could have dreamed of thisness as bestial as this, so close to home.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The loyalty to reality, to the concrete facts of experience, exploded like a delayed reaction.

The New Yorker

In putting forward his system as a hypothesis to explain the facts of experience, Gassendi showed that he understood the method characteristic of modern science, and he may well have helped to pave the way for corpuscular hypotheses in physics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In separating meaning from the facts of experience, structuralism opposed the phenomenological tradition of Franz Brentano's act psychology and Gestalt psychology, as well as the functionalist school and John B. Watson's behaviourism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An artist by disposition and endowment, he considered his eyes to be his main avenue to knowledge; to Leonardo, sight was man's highest sense because it alone conveyed the facts of experience immediately, correctly, and with certainty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hugh's somewhat innovative style of exegesis made an important contribution to the development of natural theology: he based his arguments for God's existence on external and internal experience and added a teleological proof originating from the facts of experience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fact of experience", ensure the context clearly indicates that the knowledge being referenced is derived from direct observation or participation, not merely theoretical understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "fact of experience" when referring to widely accepted general knowledge or assumptions. It's best reserved for instances where personal observation or participation contributes significantly to the understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fact of experience" functions as a noun phrase that highlights knowledge or understanding gained directly through personal involvement or observation. Ludwig's examples show it used in philosophical, scientific, and general contexts, emphasizing the empirical basis of the claim.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fact of experience" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize knowledge gained through direct, personal involvement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in science, news, and encyclopedic contexts, conveying an empirical grounding for a claim. While versatile, it is best reserved for situations where firsthand observation significantly contributes to understanding, avoiding over-generalization. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is both correct and suitable for use. Understanding the nuances and applications highlighted here can refine your writing and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiential reality

Emphasizes the realness of something based on lived experience.

empirical observation

Highlights the importance of observation as a source of knowledge.

observed phenomenon

Focuses on the event or occurrence that has been witnessed directly.

lived knowledge

Stresses the personal and embodied nature of the acquired knowledge.

practical understanding

Indicates a comprehension gained through hands-on application.

real-world evidence

Focuses on facts derived from actual situations and events.

firsthand account

Highlights the direct and personal nature of the reported information.

direct perception

Emphasizes the immediate and unmediated way of knowing something.

personal encounter

Focuses on the individual's direct involvement with an event or situation.

concrete experience

Underscores that the experience is tangible and not abstract.

FAQs

How can I use "fact of experience" in a sentence?

You can use "fact of experience" to highlight knowledge gained through direct involvement or observation, as in "The "fact of experience" taught her the importance of preparation."

What is a good alternative to "fact of experience"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "fact of experience" include "experiential reality", "empirical observation", or "lived knowledge".

Is "fact of experience" formal or informal?

"Fact of experience" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in analytical or reflective writing rather than casual conversation.

How does "fact of experience" differ from "matter of opinion"?

"Fact of experience" refers to something known through direct experience, whereas "matter of opinion" refers to a subjective belief or judgment.