factually

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'factually' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adverb to describe something as being based on facts and factual evidence. For example, "The report was factually accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Malcolm Turnbull denies influencing SBS sacking of Scott McIntyre for Anzac tweets Whether you think McIntyre's comments about Anzac Day were factually and historically defensible, compare them with the comments about Indigenous Australians that landed Andrew Bolt in the dock.

The Guardian - Opinion

This morning, 14 years on, Wright is pulling together and fact-checking his script to make sure his audience is whipped into a factually sturdy frenzy on topics such as a proposal to regulate legal highs ("What does Banshee Dust actually do?").

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The text notes "an increase in the occurrence of factually incorrect slurs as 'Polish death camps' in news articles" and encourages readers to comment on and protest over such usages.

The Guardian

In Transatlantic McCann cunningly conceals from readers the true intent behind various factually based incidents linking North America and Ireland over three centuries.

The Guardian - Books

But, really, those are the least interesting," he says.The producer of The Special Relationship, Tracey Scoffield, maintains that every scene that needed to be was factually checked.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This statement is not only factually baseless, but it is little more than hate speech.

The Guardian - Opinion

This isn't just factually wrong, it is actually counterproductive, given that many former Labour supporters simply can't stomach another forced vote for the government.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Jones was somewhat disarmed when he accused Turnbull of doing nothing to defend Abbott's chief of staff Peta Credlin from Palmer's widely condemned attack that she would personally benefit from the new paid parental leave scheme – an attack that was factually wrong and particularly hurtful because she had publicly revealed her struggle to become pregnant using IVF.

The Guardian

In a weekend interview with Yahoo Politics, the president said Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, was factually wrong and politically motivated in fighting his efforts to obtain "fast track" authority to negotiate trade agreements that Congress can accept or reject but not change.

The Guardian

This week an embarrassed Ernst & Young withdrew it, admitting that it was "factually erroneous" and that it had somehow slipped through the firm's normal checks.

The Economist

The lawsuit charges that the "richer" you are in United miles, the more the airline charges you—and that United has failed to disclose this practice properly.A United spokesman told the Chicago Tribune that the airline believes the suit is "without merit factually and legally".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "factually", ensure that the statement you are modifying is indeed based on verifiable evidence. Double-check your sources to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "factually" to describe something that is only partially true or based on opinion. Using it in such a context can undermine your argument's reliability.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of the adverb "factually" is to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that the statement is based on or consistent with facts. It serves to emphasize the factual basis of a claim. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "factually" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverb to emphasize that a statement is based on facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to enhance the credibility of information across diverse contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedias, and science. While alternatives exist, like "in point of fact" or "verifiably", "factually" provides a direct and clear assertion of truth. Remember to ensure your claims are genuinely verifiable to maintain the strength of your statement when using the term. From a linguistic perspective, "factually" plays a role in conveying accuracy and building trust in the information presented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in point of fact

Replaces a single adverb with a prepositional phrase for emphasis.

in actual fact

Similar to "in point of fact" but with "actual" adding further emphasis.

as a matter of fact

Similar to "in actual fact", introducing something that may be surprising or contrary to a previous statement.

verifiably

Implies something can be proven true with evidence.

demonstrably

Highlights the ability to show something is true through demonstration.

authentically

Emphasizes the genuineness and truthfulness of something.

genuinely

Similar to "authentically", stressing sincerity and truth.

truthfully

Focuses on the accuracy and honesty of a statement.

objectively

Highlights that a statement is free from personal feelings or opinions.

accurately

Emphasizes correctness and precision.

FAQs

How do you use "factually" in a sentence?

You can use "factually" to modify a statement, indicating that it is based on facts. For example, "The report was "factually accurate"."

What are some alternatives to using "factually"?

Alternatives to "factually" include "in point of fact", "verifiably", or "objectively", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "factually" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "factually" when you want to emphasize that a statement is based on verifiable evidence and not speculation or opinion. It adds weight to your claim.

What is the difference between "factually" and "accurately"?

"Factually" emphasizes that something is based on facts, while "accurately" emphasizes that something is correct and precise. Although they can be used interchangeably in some cases, "factually" focuses more on the basis of truth, and "accurately" on the correctness of detail.