factual quibbles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "factual quibbles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to minor or trivial disputes over facts or details, often in a debate or discussion context. Example: "While I appreciate your input, I believe we should focus on the main argument rather than getting bogged down in factual quibbles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I also had some minor factual quibbles.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One actual quibble, though, Mr. Sorbo.

Huffington Post

Nobody quibbles.

Independent

Are religious claims factual?

The New York Times

4. Be factual.

The New Yorker

A few quibbles.

The New York Times - Science

Two other quibbles.

The New York Times

These are pictures, factual.

The New York Times

It was really factual.

The New York Times - Health

It was factual.

The Economist

But those are quibbles.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "factual quibbles" when you want to downplay the significance of disagreements over specific details. It suggests the points are minor and perhaps not worth extensive debate.

Common error

Avoid using "factual quibbles" to describe serious or consequential factual errors. The term implies a lack of importance that wouldn't be appropriate for major inaccuracies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "factual quibbles" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "factual" modifies the noun "quibbles". It typically describes disagreements or minor objections related to specific facts or details. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is used to dismiss or downplay the importance of these objections.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "factual quibbles" is a phrase used to describe minor disagreements or trivial disputes over facts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. While the phrase is not very common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. It serves to downplay the significance of specific factual disagreements. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when the disagreements are indeed minor and not central to the main argument. For more formal contexts, consider alternative phrases such as "minor factual discrepancies".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor factual disagreements

Emphasizes the disagreement aspect while maintaining the focus on facts.

trivial factual disputes

Replaces "quibbles" with "disputes" to highlight a more formal disagreement, though still minor.

petty factual arguments

Highlights the potentially insignificant nature of the factual disagreements.

nitpicking over facts

Focuses on the act of being overly critical about minor factual details.

splitting hairs over facts

Implies an excessive focus on minute and unimportant factual distinctions.

minor points of fact

Shifts the emphasis to the small and specific nature of the factual details in question.

small factual discrepancies

Focuses on slight differences or inconsistencies in factual information.

insignificant factual errors

Highlights the lack of importance of the factual mistakes being discussed.

unimportant factual details

Emphasizes that the factual aspects being discussed are not particularly relevant.

pedantic factual corrections

Highlights the act of making factual corrections with an excessive concern for formalism and accuracy.

FAQs

What does "factual quibbles" mean?

The phrase "factual quibbles" refers to minor or trivial disagreements about specific facts or details. It implies that the points in question are relatively unimportant.

How can I use "factual quibbles" in a sentence?

You might say, "While I appreciate the feedback, let's not get bogged down in "factual quibbles" and instead focus on the broader issues."

What's a good alternative to "factual quibbles"?

Alternatives include "minor factual disagreements", "trivial factual disputes", or "petty factual arguments", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "factual quibbles" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "factual quibbles" is more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "minor factual discrepancies" or "insignificant factual errors" for a more professional tone.