partly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partly true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a statement or claim has some elements of truth but is not entirely accurate. Example: "While his explanation was partly true, it omitted several key details that changed the overall context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Partly true.

The New Yorker

That's only partly true.

The New York Times

That's partly true.

The New York Times

That is partly true.

The New York Times

This is partly true.

The Economist

I think that's partly true.

The Economist

But that's only partly true.

The New York Times

This is only partly true.

The New York Times

But it's only partly true.

Independent

That is only partly true.

The Economist

It is partly true.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "partly true" to acknowledge elements of truth in a statement while still indicating incompleteness or inaccuracy. This allows for nuanced communication.

Common error

Avoid using "partly true" when the statement is significantly inaccurate or misleading. Instead, consider using phrases that more clearly convey the extent of the inaccuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly true" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It's used to qualify the truthfulness of a statement, indicating it is not entirely accurate. Ludwig AI shows many instances of this usage across varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "partly true" is a common and useful way to express that a statement contains some truth but isn't completely accurate. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in news and media contexts. When using "partly true", it's important to consider if a more precise term like "somewhat accurate" or "partially correct" might better convey your intended meaning. Remember to avoid overstating the accuracy if the statement is significantly flawed. Ultimately, "partly true" is a versatile phrase for acknowledging the complex nature of truth in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat accurate

Indicates a moderate level of accuracy, suggesting it's not completely precise.

partially correct

Implies that some aspects are right, but others are wrong.

partly accurate

Suggests that the statement contains some accurate information, but not all.

true in part

Highlights that only a portion of the statement holds truth.

to some extent true

Implies that the statement is valid, but with possible qualifications.

not entirely false

Emphasizes the presence of truth by negating complete falsehood.

accurate to a degree

Acknowledges some accuracy while implying limitations.

only half true

Indicates that the statement is 50% accurate.

partly the case

Indicates that something is true under certain circumstances.

relatively true

Suggests the truth is dependent on context or perspective.

FAQs

What does "partly true" mean?

The phrase "partly true" indicates that a statement contains some element of truth but is not entirely accurate or complete.

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

You can use "partly true" to acknowledge the validity of a statement while highlighting its limitations; for example, "His explanation was "partly true", but he omitted crucial details."

What are some alternatives to saying "partly true"?

Alternatives include phrases like "somewhat accurate", "partially correct", or "true in part", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Partly true" and "partially true" are often interchangeable, but "partly true" might sound more natural in informal contexts, while "partially true" could be perceived as more formal.