not entirely false

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not entirely false" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something contains some truth, even if it is not completely accurate. Example: "While the report had several inaccuracies, it was not entirely false in its assessment of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

This view is not entirely false.

The New Yorker

The impression is not entirely false.

The New York Times - Arts

Van den Bosch's expectations were not entirely false, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shea claims this all-too-common depiction of a pampered professoriate is not "entirely false".

The New York Times - Books

The Adonis myth may be too narrow, but it is not entirely false.

The New Yorker

The impression he gave of enjoying independent means was at that point not entirely false.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It isn't entirely false – but it's hardly ever true.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Highland food and drink in the lounge car, the Harris tweed and tartan uniforms of the attendants, the "sleep-over kit" from Arran Aromatics, which includes a pillow spray, an item fit for Marie Antoinette: all of these have been produced in Scotland and introduce the visitor who steps aboard at Euston to an idea of the country, not entirely unpleasant or false, as an extensive gift shop.

The Guardian - Opinion

She and a friend went out, and while they didn't entirely assume false identities, they dressed and acted differently — more ostentatious, more provocative, maybe a little trashier than usual — and ended up going home with some guys who responded to the performance.

The New York Times

The true calamity of clean eating is not that it is entirely false.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It should not be overlooked, also, that the other candidates, whether Republican or not Republican, are not entirely innocent of these false charges either.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not entirely false" to acknowledge partial accuracy without fully endorsing a statement or claim. This is particularly useful in nuanced discussions where complete agreement or disagreement is not possible.

Common error

Avoid stacking "not entirely false" with other negations, as this can lead to confusion. For example, "It's not unlikely that the report is not entirely false" is unnecessarily complex and difficult to understand. Simplify the sentence to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not entirely false" functions as a qualifier, softening a negative statement by acknowledging that a claim or statement contains some element of truth. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a standard grammatical structure used to express partial accuracy. This usage can be observed in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not entirely false" is a grammatically correct qualifier used to indicate that a statement contains some truth, even if it is not completely accurate. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, signifying its versatility across different registers. While alternatives like "partially true" or "somewhat accurate" exist, "not entirely false" offers a unique nuance by highlighting the presence of some inaccuracy rather than emphasizing complete correctness. When using the phrase, it's important to avoid double negatives for clarity and to consider the specific context to ensure the most appropriate expression of partial truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially true

Emphasizes the presence of some truth, but not complete accuracy.

somewhat accurate

Highlights a degree of accuracy, suggesting it's more correct than incorrect.

not completely inaccurate

Focuses on the lack of total inaccuracy, implying a significant portion is correct.

contains some truth

Directly states the existence of truth within something that may be largely untrue.

partly correct

Similar to 'partially true' but can imply a more structured or quantifiable aspect.

partially accurate

Indicates that only some aspects are precisely correct.

not wholly untrue

Formal way of saying that something is partially true, highlighting that it isn't entirely a lie.

elements of truth

Suggests that although something is mostly wrong, some truth exists within.

has a kernel of truth

Implies that a statement has a small, but important, true element.

approximates the truth

Suggests that something is close to the truth but isn't exactly correct.

FAQs

How can I use "not entirely false" in a sentence?

Use "not entirely false" to indicate that a statement contains some truth, even if it's not completely accurate. For example, "While the assumptions were flawed, the conclusion wasn't "not entirely false"".

What are some alternatives to saying "not entirely false"?

Alternatives include "partially true", "somewhat accurate", or "not completely inaccurate". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "partially true" or "not entirely false"?

Both are acceptable, but "partially true" is more direct and easier to understand. "Not entirely false" adds a layer of nuance, suggesting a more complex assessment where the statement is not wholly incorrect, but still contains inaccuracies.

What's the difference between "not entirely false" and "mostly true"?

"Not entirely false" emphasizes the presence of some inaccuracy, while "mostly true" highlights the preponderance of truth. If something has significant errors, "not entirely false" is more appropriate. If it's largely correct with minor inaccuracies, use "mostly true".