lacking a basis in reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking a basis in reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement, belief, or idea that is not grounded in factual evidence or truth. Example: "The conspiracy theory was quickly dismissed as lacking a basis in reality, as there was no credible evidence to support it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr Costa's report is full of fine-sounding idealism, but the ideals and the good intentions suffer from the unfortunate defect of generally lacking a basis in reality.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her lawyer, Greg Murphy, had called the Governor's appeal "frivolous" and lacking a basis in law.

The New York Times

Jinsai denied that Buddhist principles received any corroboration in any level of existence whatsoever, dismissing them as heterodoxies utterly lacking any basis in reality.

SEP

But the "two economies" approach also has a basis in reality.

The New York Times

That's an arbitrary distinction that doesn't have a basis in reality.

Harvard University

Some scenes had a basis in reality, and many were fabricated or embroidered, but in all of them Mme.

The New Yorker

The adventures the four of them get up to are fictional, but many have a basis in reality.

The Guardian

However, this symbolic association may have a basis in reality.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Does possession have a basis in reality?

Los Angeles Times

The problem is that Kirk's letter doesn't appear to have a basis in reality.

Huffington Post

Previous national-level studies suggest the adage has a basis in reality [11], [12], [13], [14].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lacking a basis in reality", ensure that you can provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim. Avoid making unsubstantiated assertions.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, avoid using "lacking a basis in reality" in overly casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "not true" or "wrong" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking a basis in reality" functions as a descriptive qualifier, often used to critique claims or ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig, it denotes a deficiency in factual support. It's used to express that something is not supported by facts or evidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lacking a basis in reality" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies something is unsupported by facts or evidence. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While appropriate for formal writing, simpler alternatives might be better suited for casual conversations. When using this phrase, ensure you can substantiate your claim with evidence. The term indicates that there is a deficiency in the real world so you should be careful while considering the facts that may/may not support the claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without foundation in reality

Replaces "lacking" with "without" and uses "foundation" instead of "basis", slightly altering the phrasing.

not grounded in reality

Uses a more metaphorical expression with "grounded", suggesting a lack of connection to facts.

devoid of factual basis

Emphasizes the absence of facts, making it a more formal alternative.

unsupported by evidence

Focuses on the lack of supporting evidence, useful in arguments or discussions.

without any factual support

Highlights the absence of factual corroboration, suitable for formal writing.

not based on facts

A simpler and more direct way to express the idea of something being untrue.

purely speculative

Indicates that something is based on conjecture rather than evidence.

completely unfounded

Stresses the total absence of any real basis or foundation.

divorced from reality

Suggests a complete separation from the real world, often used for abstract ideas.

a figment of imagination

Implies that something exists only in someone's mind and is not real.

FAQs

What does it mean for something to be "lacking a basis in reality"?

When something is described as "lacking a basis in reality", it means that it is not supported by facts or evidence, and may be purely speculative or imaginary.

How can I use "lacking a basis in reality" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe claims, theories, or beliefs that are not supported by evidence. For example: "The conspiracy theory was quickly dismissed as "lacking a basis in reality"."

What are some alternatives to "lacking a basis in reality"?

Some alternatives include "not grounded in reality", "devoid of factual basis", or "unsupported by evidence".

Is it appropriate to use "lacking a basis in reality" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "lacking a basis in reality" is appropriate for formal writing. However, you can also consider more formal alternatives like "devoid of factual basis" for a more sophisticated tone.