past facts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past facts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to information or events that have occurred previously and are considered factual. Example: "The historian focused on past facts to provide a comprehensive understanding of the events leading to the war."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Probability involves possible deviance from trajectories established from past facts and their distribution.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There are questions to ask about this man's past, facts to be established.

The Guardian

WRITES TO LANGLEY PILOT Reiterates That No Tests Can Now Change Past Facts Nor Have Bearing on Controversy.

The New York Times

He introduced the interesting concept of the reproducibility that connects the plausible possible futures and past facts.

European Journal of Futures Research

Criterion 5 is especially relevant when the common understanding of possibilities and relevant past facts are important for common choices of actors.

European Journal of Futures Research

Ruse points out that non-teleological explanations exclusively based on past facts to explain adaptation can only be retrospectively constructed after having thought about the metaphor of design.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So past fact-checks are relevant.

Duke University

SEEK THE UNIVERSAL The most skillful hybrids see past epidermal facts into a universal quality in others.

The New York Times

Polls clearly must show that the allegation moves voters, enough so the campaign tries to bulldoze past the facts.

The Washington Post

But Mitt Romney didn't want that argument; instead he simply walked past the facts and denied that he was even proposing a $5 trillion tax cut.

The New York Times

Several other commercials this year have been criticized as pushing past the facts when they could have indisputably conveyed similar points with less sensational-sounding claims.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the time frame or source of the "past facts" if it's not immediately obvious. This can add credibility and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting opinions or interpretations as "past facts". Ensure that what you're referring to is verifiable and not merely a subjective viewpoint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past facts" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and reference specific pieces of information that are both factual and related to events that have already occurred. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "past facts" is a grammatically sound and reasonably common noun phrase used to refer to factual information about events that have already occurred. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct. While it's most frequently found in news, science, and academic contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context and distinguishing verifiable facts from subjective opinions. Alternatives include "historical facts" and "previous facts".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

historical facts

Emphasizes the historical nature of the facts, focusing on their relevance to history.

previous facts

Highlights that the facts occurred before the current moment or situation.

established facts

Stresses that the facts are confirmed or proven.

prior information

Focuses on the informational aspect of the past events.

antecedent facts

Emphasizes the role of these facts as preceding events or causes.

bygone events

Refers to events that have occurred in the distant past and are no longer relevant.

historical data

Highlights that the information is in a structured, data-oriented format.

earlier details

Refers to specific pieces of information from a prior time.

past incidents

Focuses on specific occurrences or events that took place in the past.

old news

Indicates that the facts are already known or no longer of current interest.

FAQs

How can I use "past facts" in a sentence?

You can use "past facts" to refer to events or information that have occurred and are considered factual. For example, "The investigation relied heavily on "past facts" to determine the cause of the accident."

What are some alternatives to saying "past facts"?

Alternatives include "historical facts", "previous facts", or "established facts", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "past facts", since facts are inherently in the past?

While facts are often about past events, using "past facts" can emphasize that you are specifically referring to factual information from a prior time, distinguishing it from current speculation or future predictions.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "past facts"?

The phrase "past facts" is suitable in academic, news, or analytical contexts where it's important to highlight reliance on verifiable information from the past, as opposed to assumptions or forecasts.