harsh truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harsh truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to difficult facts or realities that one has to accept. For example, "The harsh truth is that I can no longer continue this relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's the harsh truth.

The Guardian - Sport

Here's the harsh truth: colleges are a business.

The Guardian - Money

Which is worse: telling a lie, or the harsh truth?

The Washington Post

Morris sought inspiration, but he stumbled upon a harsh truth.

The Washington Post

"It was a harsh truth — especially since I had no idea what else to do".

The New York Times

Yet in the end the harsh truth was that there was no-one else to blame.

Independent

The harsh truth is that France is more vulnerable than Germany.

The Economist

The harsh truth is that most Republican parents are fairly content with their local schools.

The Economist

If the war-torn world was a harsh truth, then Sikri was a beautiful lie.

The New Yorker

The harsh truth is that such intrepid nurses can easily be fired.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The harsh truth is that Colombians don't believe in the peace process," De la Calle said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harsh truth" when you want to emphasize the difficulty or unpleasantness of a fact that needs to be acknowledged. It adds weight to the statement and encourages a realistic assessment of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "harsh truth" excessively, as it can create a melodramatic tone. Reserve it for situations where the truth is genuinely difficult to accept, rather than for minor inconveniences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harsh truth" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or an object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It often introduces a statement that reveals an unpleasant or difficult reality. For example, "The "harsh truth" is that colleges are a business."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harsh truth" is a common noun phrase used to introduce difficult or unpleasant realities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to convey awareness of challenging situations. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of its emotional weight and use it judiciously to avoid melodrama. Consider alternatives like "unpleasant reality" or "sobering reality" in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undeniable truth

Emphasizes that truth is something that cannot be denied.

brutal fact

Emphasizes the shocking or painful nature of the information.

unpleasant reality

Emphasizes the disagreeable nature of the fact.

stark reality

Highlights the bare and unavoidable nature of the situation.

cold reality

Highlights the bleakness and lack of warmth associated with the truth.

unvarnished truth

Focuses on the absence of embellishment or softening.

bitter pill to swallow

Highlights the difficulty in accepting the truth.

sobering reality

Emphasizes the serious and reflective nature of the truth.

inconvenient fact

Focuses on the troublesome nature of the truth.

uncomfortable fact

Focuses on the unease the truth brings.

FAQs

How can I use "harsh truth" in a sentence?

You can use "harsh truth" to introduce a difficult or unpleasant reality. For example: "The "harsh truth" is that the project is over budget and behind schedule."

What phrases are similar to "harsh truth"?

Similar phrases include "unpleasant reality", "bitter pill to swallow", or "inconvenient fact". These alternatives also emphasize the difficult or unwelcome nature of the truth.

Is there a more formal alternative to "harsh truth"?

While "harsh truth" is generally acceptable in most contexts, a more formal alternative could be "sobering reality" or "undeniable truth", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "harsh truth"?

It's appropriate to use "harsh truth" when the truth is not only factual but also difficult to accept or emotionally challenging. It is suitable when acknowledging the reality requires courage or a significant adjustment in perspective.