so called truth

USAGE SUMMARY

"so called truth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express doubt about the veracity of a statement that another person has made. For example, "She asserted that she had never told a lie, but I knew the so called truth was not true."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

About 150 miles south of Albuquerque is a town called Truth or Consequences, so renamed from Hot Springs in 1950 after the old quiz show "Truth or Consequences" had a contest to air a program from whatever small town in America that would change its name.

The New York Times - Travel

Quine (1953) argued that the distinction between so called a priori truths and a posteriori truths is just one of degree.

SEP

Instead, he has a conception of so called "logical objects", truth values being the most fundamental (and primary) of them (Frege 1976, 121).

SEP

Now comes the hora de verdad, the "moment of truth," so called because, while it is not too difficult to kill a bull any which way, to do it properly takes great skill and courage, and the audiences know the difference.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The appeal of coming to know our shadows is that we might be able to stop the exhausting race to be the best, and rather become part of a system in which there is more support for the truth without having so called experts give us orders that change from day to day with the guru of the moment.

Huffington Post

But the truth, of course, is that so called muscle memories are stored in our brains, just like every other kind of memory.

BBC

This is the domain of original truth what we might call truth as revealing or truth as unconcealing.

SEP

Quirky hours, so call.

Forbes

These algorithmic machines of so-called truth are not unbiased, dumb, accidental, or natural.

The Guardian - Tech

But I'm beginning to think that so-called truth is losing some of its polish.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bush campaign officials insist that the so-called truth squad is often untruthful and is guilty of nonstop negative campaigning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so called truth" to politely express skepticism or doubt when discussing information presented as factual.

Common error

Avoid using "so called truth" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can appear dismissive. Opt for more neutral language or provide specific evidence to support your skepticism.

Linguistic Context

"So called truth" functions as a noun phrase modifier, used to express doubt, skepticism, or disbelief regarding the veracity of a statement or claim. It indicates the speaker or writer does not fully accept the information presented as fact. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so called truth" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express doubt or skepticism about a statement presented as fact. While usable across various contexts, it's essential to consider the potential for misinterpretation, particularly in formal or academic settings. According to Ludwig, the expression is appropriate to use, but the limited examples suggest its use may require careful consideration of tone and audience. Alternatives like "dubious claim" or "questionable assertion" can provide a similar nuance with potentially less risk of miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so-called fact

Directly questions whether the information qualifies as a genuine fact.

dubious claim

Emphasizes the uncertainty or improbability of the statement.

questionable assertion

Highlights that the statement's validity is under scrutiny.

contested claim

Highlights that the statement is actively challenged or disputed.

purported fact

Suggests the information is presented as a fact but may not be accurate.

alleged truth

Indicates the statement is claimed to be true, but without proof.

supposed truth

Expresses a lack of confidence in the statement's truthfulness.

ostensible truth

Implies the statement appears to be true on the surface, but further examination is needed.

unverified information

Indicates the information lacks sufficient validation or confirmation.

professed truth

Highlights the statement is declared to be true, often with some insincerity.

FAQs

How can I use "so called truth" in a sentence?

You can use "so called truth" to express skepticism about something presented as factual. For example, "The "so called truth" about the company's success was far from the reality of their financial struggles."

What are some alternatives to "so called truth"?

Some alternatives include "dubious claim", "questionable assertion", or "alleged truth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "so called truth"?

While grammatically correct, "so called truth" can be perceived as dismissive or sarcastic. Consider your audience and the context to ensure it doesn't come across as overly critical.

What's the difference between "so called truth" and "alleged truth"?

"So called truth" generally implies a broader skepticism about a statement's validity. "Alleged truth", on the other hand, often suggests the information is unproven or subject to legal scrutiny.