mostly untrue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly untrue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or claim that is largely false but may contain some elements of truth. Example: "The article's portrayal of the event was mostly untrue, as it omitted key facts and misrepresented the participants' intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was also mostly untrue.

The New Yorker

And those doubts are irrational, because the charges levelled against enlargement are mostly untrue or exaggerated.Globalisation bluesThis suggests that enlargement fatigue really reflects something more deep-seated than the issue of expanding per se.

The Economist

(The notion is mostly untrue today among eminent painters; Matisse's studio, for instance, was as tidy as a rich doctor's waiting room, and the dandified Braque keeps his workrooms as well tended and polished as the shoes on his feet).

The New Yorker

If you calculate how much Jim makes by the hour, it's gotta be, what, $5.50?" Levine says this has nothing to do with his decision (which in his case I suspect is mostly true), and he claims he couldn't guess if he'll be making more money in the new practice (which I suspect is mostly untrue).

The New York Times - Magazine

They're derogatory terms and mostly untrue, so let's get rid of them.

Forbes

I thought Carlin's overtly political material might age worse than his absurdity, but that's mostly untrue.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Quite right too, bad mannered and counter-productive, if not wholly untrue, only mostly so.

The Guardian

The attempts at wit mostly fall short, but the cultural insights are persuasive artistic analogy gives "endless, untrue hope for reconciling everything".

The New Yorker

"Untrue, untrue," he mutters.

Independent

Patently untrue.

The Guardian - Sport

Totally untrue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly untrue", consider adding a brief explanation of what aspects are true or false to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly untrue" without providing context or clarification. If you state something is "mostly untrue", briefly explain which parts are true or false to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

"Mostly untrue" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or noun phrase to describe the veracity of a statement, claim, or narrative. Ludwig AI supports this function based on its examples, demonstrating its use in assessing the accuracy of information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly untrue" is a useful tool for expressing that a statement is largely false while allowing for the possibility of some truth. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, it's best to provide context to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument. Alternatives such as ""largely inaccurate"" or ""substantially false"" can offer similar nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely inaccurate

Focuses on the lack of precision and correctness.

substantially false

Highlights the significant degree of falsehood.

primarily incorrect

Emphasizes that the main part is wrong.

mainly fabricated

Suggests a constructed or invented falsehood.

mostly a lie

Directly accuses something of being a lie, but with a qualifier.

somewhat misleading

Indicates that something is partially deceptive.

a bit of an exaggeration

Highlights that something is overstated.

not entirely truthful

Focuses on the lack of complete truthfulness.

partially unfounded

Indicates a lack of a solid basis or foundation.

colored with distortions

Implies a bending or twisting of the truth.

FAQs

What does "mostly untrue" mean?

The phrase "mostly untrue" indicates that a statement is largely false but may contain some elements of truth or accuracy. It's not a complete fabrication, but it's substantially inaccurate.

How can I use "mostly untrue" in a sentence?

You might say, "The report's claims about the company's profits were "largely inaccurate", and therefore "mostly untrue"." This suggests that while some aspects of the report might be correct, the overall picture it paints is false.

Which is more severe, "mostly untrue" or "completely untrue"?

"Completely untrue" is more severe, meaning there is absolutely no truth to the statement. "Mostly untrue" implies there might be some minor element of truth, but the statement is predominantly false.

What are some alternatives to saying "mostly untrue"?

You could use phrases like "largely inaccurate", "substantially false", or "primarily incorrect" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.