ostensibly true

USAGE SUMMARY

"ostensibly true" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that something appears to be true but may not be the case upon closer examination. An example: "The report was ostensibly true, but further investigation revealed discrepancies." Alternative expressions include "seemingly true," "apparently true," and "supposedly true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The second relates an ostensibly true story of surgical ingenuity at a Second World War concentration camp.

The New Yorker

That isn't his fault, but rather that of filmmakers who decided to cast a well-known Irish actor as a Russian gangster in an ostensibly true saga.

The New York Times

It's the (ostensibly) true version of the childhood Winterson fictionalized so brilliantly in "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" over 25 years ago.

The New York Times - Books

The first section, "The New World: A Memoir," depicts the ostensibly true events of the narrator's childhood, spent in Queens and in the Poconos.

The New York Times - Books

This is all ostensibly true, historically accurate within the license granted any playwright, and a jaw-dropping scenario even if you were already aware of it.

The New York Times

He always writes about real events because he is interested in the version of history that sits just beneath the ostensibly "true" one; the alternative founding narratives built from myth and memory.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Now he's got an original drama based on the true story of ostensibly straight men who would gather at a Catskills resort for the freedom to mingle with like-minded men in the clothing they felt most comfortable...women's clothing.

Huffington Post

O Aleph (2010; Aleph) was ostensibly the true tale of Coelho's 2006 journey on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, but he embroidered the experience with a supposed encounter with a reincarnated lover from another lifetime.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Seal Morning by Rowena Farre - ostensibly the true story of a woman who'd grown up in a Scottish croft and helped her eccentric aunt to raise an orphaned seal pup.

The Guardian - Books

While the book is ostensibly about horses, its true subject is first love.

The New Yorker

This is autobiography passed through the sieve of self-contempt, an absurdist anti-Who's Who that elevates, by ostensibly denigrating, the real "true story" of a person's life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostensibly true" to introduce a statement or story that appears factual but may contain hidden inaccuracies or biases. This adds nuance to your writing and encourages critical thinking in your audience.

Common error

Avoid presenting something as "ostensibly true" and then treating it as an unquestionable fact. Always maintain a level of skepticism or invite further investigation, ensuring the statement doesn't mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ostensibly true" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. It modifies a statement or situation, indicating that it appears to be true, but there might be underlying doubts or uncertainties. As Ludwig highlights, it's used to present something that initially seems correct but requires further scrutiny.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ostensibly true" is a valuable phrase for adding nuance to your writing when you want to convey that something appears factual but may not be upon closer examination. It functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a degree of skepticism. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a formal and neutral tone. As Ludwig confirms, it’s grammatically correct and its use encourages critical thinking. While sources confirm that the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is usable in written English, ensure you don't treat it as an unquestionable fact and invite further investigation when using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apparently true

Emphasizes the appearance of truth based on initial observation.

seemingly true

Highlights the surface-level impression of truth.

supposedly true

Indicates a truth that is widely believed but potentially unfounded.

allegedly true

Indicates that the truth is claimed but not yet proven.

ostensibly factual

This alternative focuses on something that looks to be based on real facts.

putatively true

Suggests a presumed or supposed truth.

outwardly true

Emphasizes the external appearance of being true.

professedly true

Highlights a declared truth that may or may not be genuine.

nominally true

Highlights a truth that exists in name only, possibly differing from reality.

ostensible truth

This alternative inverts the phrase to emphasize the 'truth' aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "ostensibly true" to describe something that appears to be true on the surface, but might not be upon closer inspection. For instance, "The document was "ostensibly true", but a detailed review revealed inconsistencies."

What phrases are similar to "ostensibly true"?

Similar phrases include "seemingly true", "apparently true", or "supposedly true". They all suggest something that appears factual but may not be entirely accurate.

Is it correct to say something is "ostensibly true"?

Yes, it's correct. The phrase indicates that something appears to be factual based on initial evidence, although further verification might be needed. It introduces a degree of uncertainty or potential reevaluation.

What's the difference between "ostensibly true" and "actually true"?

"Ostensibly true" means something appears to be true, while "actually true" means it is definitively true. The former implies a possibility of hidden inaccuracies, whereas the latter confirms its factual correctness.