patently true

USAGE SUMMARY

"patently true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is obviously true and can be seen clearly. For example: The fact that the sun rises every morning is patently true.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

All of which is patently true - except for the last bit.

The Guardian - Books

This might seem to protest overmuch, but also seems patently true.

The New York Times - Books

I say this not only because it is patently true, but because for eight years I edited lads' mag Loaded.

The Guardian - Opinion

We got round the "steward"/ stewardess" problem on airliners by inventing the all-purpose "cabin attendant", which I'm quite happy with – not least because it gets rid of the idea (which remains patently true in the case of many airlines) that women are chosen to work as stewardesses for their looks.

Independent

Magnitudes of drug effect were parameterised as fractional reductions from baseline and were assigned uniform prior distributions between zero and one, implying that both drugs have some beneficial effects (a defensible assumption for marketed drugs) and that neither can reduce HbA1c levels below zero (patently true), and assigning equal likelihood to all possibilities between these two extremes.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

10. "The hardest part is how frustrating it is to see young souls struggle so much with things that are patently, obviously, true and clear.

Huffington Post

Ms. Gullion said: "This is patently not true.

The New York Times

In most cases, this is patently not true.

The Guardian - Books

It is patently not true, but no one complains.

The Guardian - Sport

Not that healthy things actually are delicious – that's patently not true.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Penske Media Corporation, she contends, has not delivered promised resources — an assertion that a Penske spokeswoman called "patently not true".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently true" when you want to emphasize that something is not just true, but also obviously and undeniably so. It adds a layer of certainty and clarity to your statement.

Common error

While "patently true" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it, especially in formal writing. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive or even condescending. Consider using synonyms to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently true" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "true". It indicates that the truth of a statement is not just factual, but also readily and obviously apparent. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patently true" is a phrase used to emphasize that something is not only true but also obviously and undeniably so. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. The phrase is more common in news and media, science, and business contexts, and less common in more casual or informal content. While effective for adding emphasis, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive or overly assertive. Alternative phrases such as "utterly true" or "obviously true" can be used to express similar meanings with slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly true

Emphasizes the completeness and absoluteness of the truth.

obviously true

Highlights that the truth is easily perceived and requires no explanation.

plainly true

Indicates that the truth is clear and straightforward, without any ambiguity.

indisputably true

Suggests that the truth cannot be reasonably challenged or questioned.

demonstrably true

Implies that the truth can be proven or shown with evidence.

unquestionably true

Similar to 'indisputably true', emphasizes the certainty and lack of doubt.

undeniably true

Suggests that it is impossible to deny the truth.

manifestly true

Stresses that the truth is evident and apparent to anyone.

patently obvious

Combines the clarity of "patently" with the directness of "obvious".

self-evidently true

The truth is apparent without needing proof or explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "patently true" to emphasize that something is obviously true and undeniable. For example, "It is "patently true" that the sun rises in the east."

What's a less formal way to say "patently true"?

Less formal alternatives include "obviously true", "clearly true", or "plainly true". These options convey a similar meaning but are less emphatic.

Is "patently true" suitable for academic writing?

"Patently true" can be used in academic writing, but it's important to use it judiciously. Ensure that it aligns with the overall tone and level of formality required for your specific academic context. Sometimes using "demonstrably true" or "indisputably true" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "patently true" and "obviously true"?

While both phrases indicate something is clearly true, "patently true" suggests a higher degree of certainty and a stronger emphasis on the undeniable nature of the truth, compared to "obviously true".