partially true

USAGE SUMMARY

"partially true" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that certain elements of something are true, while other elements may potentially be false or still unknown. For example, "The information gathered so far suggests the suspect might be innocent, but it is partially true until a verdict is reached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which was partially true.

The Guardian - Music

It was partially true.

The Guardian - Film

That's partially true.

The Guardian - Film

It's partially true, Dave.

The Guardian - Sport

That's only partially true.

The Washington Post

That is only partially true.

The Guardian - Music

In fact, that is only partially true.

The Economist

MOUSETRONAUT Based on a (Partially) True Story.

The New York Times - Books

All this is partially true, of course.

The New York Times

I suspect this is only partially true.

The Guardian

And that would be partially true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "partially true", clarify which aspects are accurate and which are not to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about the degree of truth.

Common error

Avoid using "partially true" when the statement is mostly false. Instead, consider saying "mostly false with minor elements of truth" to better reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partially true" functions as an adverbial modifier qualifying the adjective "true". It indicates a statement or claim is not entirely accurate or factual but contains elements of truth. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partially true" is a versatile phrase used to express that a statement contains elements of both truth and falsehood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts, especially within news, academic and scientific environments. It’s essential to clarify which aspects are true and false to prevent misinterpretations. While alternatives like "somewhat accurate" exist, "partially true" remains a straightforward and widely accepted way to convey qualified truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially correct

Similar to partially true, emphasizes only a part is correct.

somewhat accurate

Indicates a degree of accuracy, but not full correctness.

largely correct

Suggests a high degree of correctness with minor inaccuracies.

partly factual

Highlights the presence of facts mixed with other elements.

not entirely false

Emphasizes the lack of complete falsehood, implying some truth.

true to a degree

Expresses that the statement is only true to a limited extent.

accurate in part

Indicates that only a portion of the statement is accurate.

not wholly accurate

Suggests inaccuracies prevent the statement from being fully accurate.

partially verifiable

Indicates that some elements can be confirmed, but not all.

circumstantially true

Truth depends on specific circumstances or context.

FAQs

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

Use "partially true" to indicate that some aspects of a statement are accurate while others are not. For example, "The rumour about the company's bankruptcy is "partially true"; they are facing financial difficulties, but not bankrupt yet."

What are some alternatives to saying "partially true"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "somewhat accurate", "partially correct", or "largely correct" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "partially true" or "partially false"?

The choice depends on what you want to emphasize. "Partially true" emphasizes the presence of some truth, while "partially false" emphasizes the presence of some falsehood. Choose the one that best reflects the primary aspect of the statement.

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

"Partially true" indicates that only some aspects of a statement are accurate, while "completely true" means that every aspect of the statement is accurate without exception.