not based on reality

USAGE SUMMARY

"not based on reality" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not rooted in truth or fact. For example, "Her assessment of the situation was not based on reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"That number is not based on reality".

The New York Times

But, he said, its reputation was not based on reality.

The New York Times

The widespread notion that France is in big trouble is, however, not based on reality.

The New York Times

This is a belief system, but a belief system that is not based on reality".

The Guardian - Money

"He has to say that, but it's not based on reality".

The Guardian

They are bringing those values to our country and we have to stop it.' This is old-fashioned 'yellow fear', but not based on reality or fact".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

All right, before the AARP issues a fatwa against me, could we please acknowledge that the demonization of welfare recipients wasn't based on reality either?

The New York Times

Although the book suggests autobiographical roots, it is not based on personal reality.

The New York Times

"The assumption that in three years we were going to build a bio-hybrid robot and have it go out and swim through your veins is not based on the reality of what it's like to do this research".  .

BBC

Philosophies are, by their very nature, quite possibly not based on verifiable reality.

WikiHow

I wonder is this writer setting up in the forthcoming passion narratives in Christ breaking down the walls of separation allowing a new structural paradigm that the king judges not based on structural realities of position and power but based on one's actions toward the "least of these".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not based on reality" to critique arguments, claims, or beliefs that lack evidence or factual support. Be specific about why the claim is detached from reality.

Common error

Avoid using "not based on reality" to dismiss opinions or subjective experiences. The phrase is most effective when addressing verifiable claims that contradict established facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not based on reality" functions primarily as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to describe something that is untrue, unfounded, or imaginary. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not based on reality" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating a lack of factual grounding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English and serves to express skepticism or disagreement. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki and Formal & Business contexts. Common related phrases include "divorced from reality" and "unfounded in fact". When using this phrase, ensure it's applied to verifiable claims rather than subjective opinions. While the phrase is suitable for various contexts, it maintains a neutral register and holds a spot as a potent tool for those wanting to express that something doesn't hold up to the real world.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divorced from reality

Emphasizes a separation or detachment from what is real.

unfounded in fact

Highlights the absence of a factual basis.

without basis in reality

Directly states the lack of a real-world foundation.

contrary to fact

Indicates a direct opposition to what is true.

not factual

A simpler way of saying something lacks a basis in fact.

a figment of imagination

Suggests something is purely imaginary and not real.

pure fantasy

Highlights the imaginary nature of something, lacking connection to reality.

merely theoretical

Implies a lack of practical application or real-world evidence.

speculative

Suggests something is based on conjecture rather than facts.

unrealistic

Focuses on the impracticality and lack of feasibility.

FAQs

How can I use "not based on reality" in a sentence?

You can use "not based on reality" to describe claims, beliefs, or policies that are unsupported by evidence or facts. For example, "His economic projections were "not based on reality"."

What's a more formal alternative to "not based on reality"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "unfounded in fact" or "divorced from reality". For example, "The report's conclusions were "unfounded in fact"."

Is it appropriate to use "not based on reality" in academic writing?

Yes, "not based on reality" can be appropriate in academic writing when critiquing arguments or theories that lack empirical support. However, ensure your critique is well-reasoned and provides specific counter-evidence.

What's the difference between "not based on reality" and "unrealistic"?

"Not based on reality" emphasizes a lack of factual grounding, while "unrealistic" focuses on impracticality or a low likelihood of success. Something can be unrealistic even if it's theoretically possible, but "not based on reality" suggests a fundamental disconnect from facts.