sort of true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort of true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a degree of truth or accuracy, indicating that something is partially correct but not entirely so. Example: "While the theory has some merit, it's sort of true that it doesn't account for all variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Which was sort of true.

The New Yorker

And that's sort of true.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is sort of true.

The New York Times

And it's sort of true.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's sort of true.

The Guardian - Books

It's sort of true.

The Guardian

That last bit is sort of true.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

That may be sort-of true as far as it goes, but it is rather like the Queen saying that the Commonwealth exists.

The Economist

Moments later, the editing Bafta goes all the way to Argo, Ben Affleck's sort-of true story about how the CIA paired with Hollywood to rescue a band of imperilled Americans in deepest Tehran.

The Guardian - Film

Keith Varney takes a lighter approach to the bruises of life and loss in "I Got Fired," his "semi-autobiographical, sort-of-true revenge musical" about being pink-slipped from an administrative grunt job at a Manhattan medical school.

The New York Times

By far the best things about the show — and maybe reason enough to watch it, if you have a weakness for formulaic sitcoms — are the performances of Jodi Long and Vivian Bang as Steve's mother and sister, a pair of funny-because-they're-sort-of-true stereotypes.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of true" when you want to acknowledge a statement's accuracy but also indicate reservations or qualifications. It's ideal for nuanced discussions where absolute truth is not the case.

Common error

Avoid relying on "sort of true" in formal writing or presentations where precision is paramount. Opt for more specific qualifiers or evidence-based language to express the degree of accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of true" functions as a degree modifier qualifying the adjective "true". It indicates that a statement has some validity but is not completely accurate. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sort of true" is a common and grammatically sound way to express partial agreement or qualified truth. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media. When choosing alternatives, consider the level of formality required and the specific nuance you wish to convey. While "sort of true" is versatile, more precise language may be appropriate for formal or scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially true

Emphasizes that only a portion of something is accurate.

somewhat true

Indicates a degree of truth, but not entirely.

mostly true

Suggests that the majority of something aligns with the truth.

technically true

Implies the statement is accurate in a narrow or literal sense, but may be misleading.

kind of true

A more informal way of saying "sort of true".

relatively true

Highlights that the truth depends on context or comparison.

not entirely false

Focuses on the absence of complete falsehood rather than the presence of truth.

accurate to a degree

Acknowledges truth but within specific limits.

broadly accurate

Suggests general correctness, with possible minor inaccuracies.

true in a sense

Indicates that the truth applies under a particular interpretation or perspective.

FAQs

What does "sort of true" mean?

The phrase "sort of true" means that something is partially accurate but not entirely so. It implies there are elements of truth but also some inaccuracies or limitations.

What can I say instead of "sort of true"?

You can use alternatives like "partially true", "somewhat true", or "mostly true" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sort of true"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It's suitable for informal and neutral contexts.

Which is correct, "sort of true" or "kind of true"?

Both phrases are correct and have the same meaning. "Kind of true" is generally considered more informal than "sort of true".