made-up stories

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made-up stories" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to fictional narratives or tales that are invented rather than based on real events. Example: "The author is known for her imaginative novels filled with made-up stories that captivate readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Awful made-up stories.

The New York Times

He dismissed the claims as "made-up stories".

The Guardian

The blogosphere is awash with crazy people with made-up stories.

Independent

Of course, inaccurate or made-up stories have circulated since the media first began.

Independent

Those lads had a field day.' Other youths sold made-up stories to journalists.

The Guardian

Many writers have expressed their belief that in the age of information saturation, made-up stories have lost their power.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Through her "made up" stories, she has brought Haiti to life for countless readers who otherwise would have understood nothing.

The New York Times - Books

"He made up stories".

The New York Times - Books

"She made up stories," he said.

The New Yorker

My mother wrote poetry and made up stories.

The New York Times - Magazine

She took dance classes, and made up stories.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made-up stories", consider the context. If you want to emphasize the imaginative or creative aspect, it's appropriate. If you want to highlight deception, consider alternatives like "fabricated accounts".

Common error

Avoid using "made-up stories" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "fictional narratives" or "fabricated accounts" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made-up stories" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "made-up" acts as an adjective modifying "stories." Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct. The adjective "made-up" indicates that the stories are not based on factual events but are instead created or invented.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made-up stories" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe fictional or untrue narratives. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to refer to narratives that are invented rather than based on reality. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and audience. For highly formal or academic settings, alternatives like "fictional narratives" or "fabricated accounts" may be more suitable. This phrase appears frequently in news and media sources but is less common in formal academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fictional narratives

This alternative emphasizes the narrative aspect and its non-real nature.

fabricated accounts

This suggests a more deliberate and potentially deceptive creation of the stories.

invented tales

This focuses on the creative act of inventing the stories.

false narratives

This highlights the untruthfulness of the narratives.

imaginary stories

This emphasizes the role of imagination in creating the stories.

concocted stories

This implies that the stories are elaborately created, possibly with deceitful intent.

untrue stories

This directly states that the stories are not factual.

counterfeit stories

This suggests that the stories are presented as genuine but are actually fake.

apocryphal tales

This refers to stories of doubtful authenticity, often widely circulated.

pure fiction

This highlights that the creation doesn't have any root in reality.

FAQs

How can I use "made-up stories" in a sentence?

You can use "made-up stories" to describe fictional narratives or accounts, like in "The children entertained themselves by sharing "made-up stories" about their imaginary adventures."

What are some alternatives to "made-up stories"?

Alternatives include "fictional narratives", "fabricated accounts", or "invented tales", depending on whether you want to emphasize the fictional nature, potential deception, or creative invention.

Is "made-up stories" considered formal or informal language?

"Made-up stories" leans towards the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider using "fictional narratives" or similar alternatives for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "made-up stories" and "false narratives"?

"Made-up stories" generally refers to fictional tales, while "false narratives" specifically implies that the stories are untrue and intended to deceive or mislead. The latter has a stronger connotation of deception.