materially true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "materially true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is true in a significant or substantial way, often in legal or formal discussions. Example: "The statement made by the witness was materially true, which influenced the outcome of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's an annoying cliché and not even materially true.

The New York Times - Books

(Nonetheless, unless we are fundamentally confused about something, all our beliefs meet this formal condition.[3]) But there is a further question: which of our beliefs are actually (or "materially") true, and which erroneous?

SEP

This result is indicated by Descartes's use of the term, picked up and emphasized by Malebranche, according to which there are no false ideas; every idea in this sense is materially true in that it has an object, and that is the object it appears to have.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This suggests that we imagine a complex reality in which things might be true — materially, spiritually, psychologically.

The New York Times

Thus Marx's claim that capitalism was materially unstable proved true of communism instead.

SEP

The SEC called the proxy materials materially false and misleading.

Forbes

Mr. Fidler said the company's true value was "materially higher" than its closing price yesterday of $910.

The New York Times

As in ordinary PC, p ⊃ q is interpreted as "p materially implies q"—i.e., as true except when p is true but q false.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On Monday the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed that decision, in a ruling by another district judge, Ned Rakoff, who was temporarily sitting on the appellate court: "The law is well settled, however, that so-called "half truths" — literally true statements that create a materially misleading impression — will support claims for securities fraud".

The New York Times

If the debt load of students doubled, it is true the rankings would have slipped materially, to 38th, but still well above the ranking by USNWR (a halving of debt load would have raised Wabash to eighth).

Forbes

If that's true – and that's a big 'if' ��� it does materially enhance their strategic capability.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "materially true", ensure the context requires emphasizing the significant or substantial nature of the truth being conveyed. This phrase is particularly useful in legal or formal contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "materially true" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "mostly true" or "essentially true" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "materially true" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a statement's truthfulness. It specifies that the truth is significant and substantial, not merely technically correct. Ludwig shows its use in diverse contexts, including philosophy and news reports.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "materially true" is an adverb-adjective phrase indicating that a statement is true in a significant and substantial way. While its frequency is rare, it finds appropriate usage in formal contexts, particularly in news and scientific domains. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase emphasizes the importance of the truth being conveyed, assuring audiences of its reliability. Related phrases like "essentially true" and "substantially true" can serve as alternatives, depending on the context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially true

Replaces "materially" with "essentially", emphasizing the fundamental truth of the statement.

substantially true

Uses "substantially" instead of "materially", highlighting the significant degree of truth.

largely true

Emphasizes that the statement is true in most respects or to a great extent.

basically true

Indicates that the statement is true in its fundamental aspects, despite possible minor inaccuracies.

effectively true

Suggests that the statement has the same practical effect as being true, even if not strictly accurate.

in effect true

Similar to "effectively true", implying practical truth rather than literal accuracy.

genuinely true

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the truth.

verifiably true

Implies that the truth of the statement can be confirmed or proven.

demonstrably true

Highlights that the truth of the statement can be clearly shown or proven.

practically true

Indicates that the statement is true in a practical sense, even if not theoretically perfect.

FAQs

What does "materially true" mean?

"Materially true" means that something is true in a significant or substantial way, especially in a context where precision is important, such as legal or formal discussions.

What can I say instead of "materially true"?

You can use alternatives like "essentially true", "substantially true", or "largely true" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "materially true" the same as "completely true"?

No, "materially true" suggests that the statement is true in its most important aspects, while "completely true" implies that the statement is true in every detail. "Materially true" allows for minor inaccuracies that don't affect the overall validity.

How is "materially true" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "materially true" often refers to statements that, while technically accurate, might be misleading due to omissions or lack of context. A statement can be literally true but "materially misleading".