simply facts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply facts" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "simply factual" or "just facts" to convey the intended meaning. Example: "In this debate, we need to focus on simply facts to support our arguments."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Today's technologies are simply facts of life; people complain about them as they do about other unavoidable aspects of existence, like the weather.

The New York Times - Arts

Until recently these issues were simply facts of life, so omnipresent that racial inequality passes for the norm for both Republicans and Democrats.

The Guardian

It is not simply facts that matter but how people perceive, interpret, and react to these facts; this makes causality in the social sciences far more complex than in the natural sciences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All of these laws, according to Hume, are simply "facts" inductively derived from (constant and regular) experience.

SEP

So, too, but less obviously and more controversially, according to Suárez, every single being is something true, in some suitably ontological sense of true (as in "true propositions are simply facts") and also something good.

SEP

For him, such concepts and categories were simply facts about the way we think, which were philosophically significant, but best approached in historical or psychological terms, rather than as Kantian transcendental ideas (that is, ideas which are wholly prior to experience, and are necessary conditions for any kind of knowledge).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Research has found that the process of perceiving and responding to potential danger is not simply fact-based – the pure product of clean, Cartesian rationality.

The Guardian

This is simply fact.

Huffington Post

It is simply fact.

Huffington Post

"I think sometimes it's hard for them to understand that not everyone accepts their religious views about the Bible as simply fact," he added.

Vice

"It's simply a fact, an unfortunate fact, that he's not recovered," Hodgson said of Sturridge's absence.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "just the facts" or "basic facts" instead of "simply facts".

Common error

Avoid using "simply" directly before "facts" as it's grammatically unusual. Instead, use it as an adverb modifying a verb or adjective, or choose a more appropriate adjective to describe the facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply facts" functions as a noun phrase intended to denote basic or straightforward information. However, it's not grammatically standard. Ludwig highlights examples where the intended meaning is understood but suggests more conventional alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "simply facts" is used to convey straightforward information but is grammatically unconventional. Ludwig identifies its infrequent usage, recommending alternatives like "just the facts" or "basic facts" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. Although sources like The New York Times and The Guardian provide examples, it's crucial to recognize that the phrase is not standard English. Opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic facts

Replaces "simply" with "basic", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the facts.

plain facts

Substitutes "simply" with "plain", highlighting the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of the facts.

just the facts

Emphasizes a focus solely on the facts, without additional interpretation or embellishment.

merely facts

Replaces "simply" with "merely", indicating that nothing more than the facts are relevant.

pure facts

Highlights the unadulterated and unbiased nature of the facts.

undeniable facts

Focuses on the incontrovertible nature of the facts, suggesting they cannot be disputed.

straightforward facts

Emphasizes the ease of understanding and lack of complexity of the facts.

unvarnished facts

Highlights the authenticity and lack of embellishment of the facts.

bare facts

Focuses on the essential and unadorned nature of the facts.

unadorned facts

Emphasizes the lack of embellishment or interpretation added to the facts.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "simply facts"?

The grammatically correct alternatives include "just the facts", "basic facts", or "plain facts". The phrase "simply facts" is considered grammatically awkward.

Can I use "simply" to modify "facts"?

While "simply" is an adverb, it's not typically used directly before "facts" in standard English. Better alternatives are "just the facts" or "basic facts".

What are some synonyms for "simply facts"?

Synonyms include "plain facts", "merely facts", and "pure facts". Each emphasizes the unadorned or essential nature of the information.

How can I use "just the facts" in a sentence?

You can use "just the facts" to emphasize a focus solely on objective information, such as "In this report, we're presenting just the facts, without any personal opinions".