nearly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or idea that is mostly accurate but has some minor inaccuracies or exceptions. Example: "While the theory is nearly true, there are a few exceptions that need to be considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Cruel and nearly true.

The New Yorker

Which is very nearly true.

The New Yorker

That's not quite true, but it's nearly true.

The New Yorker

So nearly true, if some rounding up is allowed.

The Guardian

Hyperbole, maybe, but on the other side of the Atlantic it seemed nearly true.

The New Yorker

PORT JEFFERSON -- "Dream a Little Dream: The Nearly True Story of the Mamas and the Papas".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Tests on simulated data (S.L.K. Pond and S.D.W. Frost, methods available in [ 59]) show that p values less than or equal to 0.1 identify nearly all true positives with a false positive rate generally below the nominal p value; for actual data, the number of true positives at a given false positive rate is lower.

BMC Genomics

Boitano's prediction, however, nearly came true.

The New York Times - Sports

The Indian dream has nearly come true.

The Guardian - Sport

Last year those schemes nearly came true.

The Guardian - Sport

On Monday, Mr. Taylor's wish will nearly come true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly true" when you want to acknowledge that a statement is mostly correct but may contain minor inaccuracies or exceptions. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly true" when the statement is significantly inaccurate or misleading. In such cases, it's better to use phrases like "partially true" or "misleading" to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly true" functions as an adverbial modifier of the adjective "true", indicating a degree or extent to which something is true. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and appears across diverse reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly true" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that serves to qualify the truthfulness of a statement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness, highlighting its use across various reliable sources. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing an idea that is almost, but not quite, completely accurate. While alternatives like "almost true" or "essentially true" exist, "nearly true" provides a distinct nuance. Remember to employ the phrase judiciously, ensuring that the degree of accuracy aligns with the intended meaning and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost true

Indicates a state very close to being true, with minimal deviation.

virtually true

Implies a truth that is true in effect, though not strictly in every detail.

practically true

Highlights the practical implications of a statement being true, even if technically not entirely so.

essentially true

Focuses on the core truth of a statement, disregarding minor inaccuracies.

more or less true

Suggests a general truth, with an acceptance of some degree of inaccuracy.

approaching truth

Describes a statement that is becoming closer to the truth but is not there yet.

verging on truth

Indicates that a statement is on the edge of being true, implying a significant element of truth.

largely correct

Emphasizes the high degree of correctness in a statement, allowing for some errors.

mostly accurate

Highlights the general accuracy of a statement, with a recognition of potential inaccuracies.

generally valid

Suggests that a statement is true in most cases or under most conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly true" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly true" to describe something that is mostly accurate but not entirely correct. For example, "The report was "nearly true", but it contained a few minor errors."

What are some alternatives to saying "nearly true"?

Alternatives to "nearly true" include "almost true", "virtually true", or "essentially true". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of accuracy you want to convey.

Is it better to say "nearly true" or "completely true"?

"Nearly true" and "completely true" have very different meanings. Use "completely true" when something is entirely accurate without any exceptions. Use "nearly true" when something is mostly, but not fully, accurate.

What's the difference between "nearly true" and "partially true"?

"Nearly true" implies a high degree of accuracy, with only minor inaccuracies. "Partially true" suggests that a statement has some truth to it, but a significant portion may be false or misleading. The distinction lies in the extent of the accuracy.