fathom the fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fathom the fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the difficulty of understanding or grasping a particular truth or reality. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence, many still struggle to fathom the fact that climate change is a pressing issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I can't fathom the fact that I made an 89 cent mistake that cost me $525".

Vice

I could not fathom the fact that I was denied information that was mine.

Huffington Post

And when I can't really fathom the fact that he died and is no longer here on Earth, I hold one of his tools.

Huffington Post

Watching a detainee make a frustrated weekly call home to his family, who are unable to fathom the fact that the Australian government has locked them up indefinitely a wife who believes her husband must be lying to her and living it up in Sydney, because the situation he describes simply cannot be possible.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In this current era of specialization, the hardest aspect of Winslow's performance to fathom is the fact that he was sent out at the end of regulation to defend a field-goal attempt.

The New York Times

Such a humiliating verbal assault on a soldier was hard enough to fathom, let alone the fact that his chain of command concluded that he made the scenario up.

Huffington Post

Indeed, the ubiquity and uniformity of facial expressions of emotion would be hard to fathom if it were not for the fact that they communicate an individual's emotions to other members of his group or species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was on the attack because I could not fathom that they could not see the racism; because the fact that they could not see it brought hot tears to my eyes.

Huffington Post

The ICC's convoluted rankings systems can be hard to fathom at the best of times, but there is no disputing the fact that England deserve their new No7 position.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the fact that it's still difficult for many to fathom that women too can communicate in painted abstraction, Cain plans to keep painting in her signature style of radiant ambiguity, the language that comes naturally to her. .

Huffington Post

It sounds painful, and I can't fathom why anyone would pay $84 to stick a pipe down his or her pee-hole, but the fact remains: It exists because somebody wants it. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fathom the fact" to introduce a statement that might be difficult to believe or understand initially. It effectively sets the stage for explaining something that requires deeper thought.

Common error

Avoid using "fathom the fact" when simpler terms like "understand" or "realize" would suffice. Save it for situations that genuinely involve grappling with complex or counterintuitive information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fathom the fact" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a statement that is difficult to fully understand or believe. It indicates the challenge in comprehending a specific truth or reality, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fathom the fact" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to denote difficulty in understanding or accepting a piece of information. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. Its primary function is to emphasize the complexity or counterintuitive nature of a statement, often setting the stage for further explanation. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where the information genuinely requires a deeper level of comprehension. Though primarily found in News & Media contexts, the phrase can also be used in other contexts. Alternatives such as "grasp the reality" or "comprehend the truth" can be used, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Grasp the reality

Focuses on accepting a situation as it truly is.

Comprehend the truth

Emphasizes understanding what is factual and accurate.

Apprehend the situation

Highlights a clear understanding of a specific set of circumstances.

Realize the implications

Focuses on understanding the consequences of something.

Perceive the essence

Stresses understanding the core nature of something.

Discern the rationale

Implies uncovering the reasoning behind something.

Ascertain the basis

Highlights the need to find out the foundation of an event.

Recognize the certainty

Focuses on acknowledging the sureness or definiteness of something.

Understand the core

Emphasizes comprehending the central or most important part of something.

Acknowledge the reality

Stresses acceptance and recognition of a particular situation.

FAQs

How can I use "fathom the fact" in a sentence?

Use "fathom the fact" to introduce a statement that is difficult to believe or understand at first. For example, "It's hard to fathom the fact that some people still deny climate change despite the overwhelming evidence."

What are some alternatives to "fathom the fact"?

You can use alternatives such as "grasp the reality", "comprehend the truth", or "understand the core" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "fathom the fact"?

Yes, "fathom the fact" is grammatically correct. It is used to express the difficulty of understanding or grasping a particular truth or reality.

What does it mean to "fathom the fact"?

To "fathom the fact" means to fully understand or grasp something, especially something complex or difficult to believe. It implies a process of mental effort to comprehend a particular truth or reality.