factually untrue

USAGE SUMMARY

"factually untrue" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It implies that something is not true according to facts or evidence. For example, "His statement that he had been to the store was factually untrue; there were no witnesses who had seen him there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Lamont was raising things known to be factually untrue," Ms. Taylor added.

The New York Times

"His entire premise of his article, which I liked, is factually untrue," Davis said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times - Sports

But Terry Press, the executive in charge of publicity and marketing at DreamWorks, said some details of the book were factually untrue.

The New York Times

You can argue they can get more for what they do, but if you're going to say they get nothing, you're saying something that is indisputably and factually untrue".

The New York Times - Sports

"There are personal grudges against someone whose politics are extreme, and she also said a lot of things that were factually untrue, but it doesn't negate the fact that she was the person on the stage in those debates," adds Marsh.

The Guardian

On April 4th it complained to the OFT about the ASA, "regarding the unfair procedures, bias and factually untrue rulings made by the ASA against seven of Ryanair's adverts".The ASA, or "Absolutely Stupid Asses" in the Irish, has previously ticked Ryanair off about comparisons it made with Eurostar, and about adverts it used to promote its "Hottest Back to School Fares".(Photo credit: AP).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

That is factually false.

The Guardian - Opinion

Argument 2 is untrue factually.

Huffington Post

"Untrue, untrue," he mutters.

Independent

"You're factually wrong".

The New York Times

It's factually inaccurate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When correcting misinformation, specify why a statement is "factually untrue" by providing verifiable evidence or sources to support your claim. This makes your correction more credible and effective.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as "factually untrue" without explaining why. Provide context and supporting evidence to clarify the inaccuracy and prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "factually untrue" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is not in accordance with the facts. Ludwig AI confirms that it clearly denotes something that is false or inaccurate based on verifiable information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "factually untrue" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that doesn't align with established facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to challenge the truthfulness of a statement directly. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it is used to correct misinformation and highlight inaccuracies. While there are several alternative phrases like "factually incorrect" or "substantively untrue", providing specific evidence to support your claim will ensure clarity and precision in your communication. Avoiding overuse without context can prevent misunderstandings and strengthen your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantively untrue

Emphasizes that the core or essence of the statement is not true.

really untrue

A simpler, more direct way to express that something is not true.

factually erroneous

Highlights that the statement contains factual errors.

substantially untrue

Suggests that a significant part of the statement is not true.

basically untrue

Indicates that the fundamental idea is not true.

factually inaccurate

Similar to factually erroneous, emphasizing a lack of accuracy.

factually spurious

Implies that the statement lacks a solid factual basis and is questionable.

factually incorrect

A direct statement that something is wrong according to facts.

factually wrong

A straightforward and simple way to say that something is not right factually.

factually unsubstantiated

Points out that there is no evidence to support the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "factually untrue" in a sentence?

You can use "factually untrue" to describe a statement that does not align with established facts. For example, "His claim about the company's profits was "factually untrue" because it contradicted the official financial reports."

What are some alternatives to saying "factually untrue"?

Instead of saying "factually untrue", you can use phrases such as "factually incorrect", "demonstrably false", or "simply untrue" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "factually untrue" and "misleading"?

"Factually untrue" means something is objectively false, whereas "misleading" implies something may be technically true but is presented in a way that is deceptive. A statement can be "misleading" without being "factually untrue", and vice versa.

How do I address a statement that is "factually untrue" without being confrontational?

You can gently correct a "factually inaccurate" statement by saying something like, "I understand your point, but the available evidence suggests otherwise." Then, provide your sources.