how very true

USAGE SUMMARY

'how very true' is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use this phrase when you want to emphasize your agreement or understanding of something that someone said. For example: "Some say the world is becoming more dangerous every day - how very true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

How true, how very true.

The Guardian - Arts

How very true and the internet and Amazon in particular has played a massive role.

The Guardian

How very true, and no one more powerful is standing in the way of that work than the man uttering those words.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once again, just as we quickly reach for our own preferred weapon of condemnation — yes, we say to ourselves, how very true is this "beautifully typical story of these times and this place," how right this book is about "the hopeless emptiness of everything"!

The New Yorker

How very true.

Forbes

How very true in general for life.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"People/who need people/are the luckiest people" - how very very true.

The Guardian - Film

I think it's very true to how, at least my college experience, was the first two weeks of school.

Huffington Post

What if we take the opportunity to consider how very many different understandings of "true Christianity" were preached and printed in the sixteenth century?

HuffPost

"Personally, though, I would rather stop it now and have a proper select committee that looked at the evidence and took oral evidence, written evidence to get a very true understanding of how this will work in practice," she said.

The Guardian

Going back to the bank-robber, we might point out how very unlikely it is to be true that he doesn't care about anything that is achieved by not robbing banks, or lost by robbing them.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how very true" to express strong agreement or acknowledgment of a statement, especially when emphasizing its accuracy or relevance. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "how very true" is acceptable, overuse in highly formal writing can make your text sound less professional. Consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "indeed" or "precisely" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how very true" primarily functions as an exclamatory affirmation. According to Ludwig AI, it expresses strong agreement or acknowledgment of a statement, emphasizing its accuracy or relevance. It is often used as a response to something that has just been said.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how very true" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express strong agreement or acknowledgment. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it’s appropriate in various contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and media. While acceptable for formal writing, consider using synonyms like "indeed" or "precisely" for a more polished tone. Its purpose is to emphatically validate a statement, reinforcing shared understanding. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive or insincere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's so true

This alternative offers a more conversational agreement.

so true

This alternative provides a shortened and more casual agreement.

couldn't agree more

This alternative is an expression of strong agreement.

absolutely right

This alternative offers a more direct and emphatic affirmation.

you're so right

This alternative focuses on validating the speaker's perspective.

that's the truth

This alternative emphasizes the factual nature of the statement.

precisely so

This alternative provides a more formal and succinct agreement.

that's spot on

This alternative provides a more colloquial agreement.

that rings true

This alternative emphasizes authenticity.

indeed it is

This alternative provides a formal and emphatic agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "how very true" in a sentence?

You can use "how very true" to express agreement or acknowledgment. For example, "The speaker emphasized the importance of education; how very true, given the current job market."

What are some alternatives to "how very true"?

Alternatives include "absolutely right", "that's so true", or "indeed it is". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is "how very true" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "how very true" can be used in formal writing, but it should be used sparingly. Overusing it may make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider more formal alternatives for a polished effect.

What is the difference between "how true" and "how very true"?

"How true" expresses agreement, while "how very true" emphasizes the strength of that agreement. The addition of "very" intensifies the affirmation.