that is mostly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is mostly true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that a statement is generally accurate but may have some exceptions or nuances. Example: "While the theory is sound, I would argue that it is mostly true, as there are some cases where it does not apply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The public believes that teachers have ideal schedules for raising children, and for older children that is mostly true.

The New York Times

The overwhelming majority of his constituent mail is now about the far-out ideas, and only a small portion is "based on something that is mostly true".

The New Yorker

In other words, when Mr. Obama declares that "the reason people don't have health insurance isn't because they don't want it, it's because they can't afford it," he's saying something that is mostly true now — but wouldn't be true under his plan.

The New York Times

For the context of this conversation, that is mostly true.

Huffington Post

I think that is mostly true, and detrimental to the work's effectiveness.

The New York Times

And while that is mostly true, there is a troubling fact: About 200,000 strokes per year are classified as unknown; their source can't be traced, regardless of the extent of testing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Of course, if that were mostly true, we never would have had table tennis, billiards, or foosball to begin with.

Vice

That was mostly true.

The New York Times

That was mostly true in the second quarter.

The Washington Post

He continued: "And I found that that was mostly true.

The New York Times

"But that's mostly true of all the big software sellers".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is mostly true" when you want to concede a point but also qualify it with a reservation, instead of bluntly agreeing or disagreeing.

Common error

Avoid using "that is mostly true" when the statement is overwhelmingly true; instead, opt for phrases like "that is entirely true" or "that is correct" for better precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is mostly true" functions as a qualifier or hedge. It indicates a statement is generally accurate but allows for exceptions or minor inaccuracies. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

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, "that is mostly true" is a versatile phrase used to express qualified agreement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It functions as a qualifier, indicating that a statement is generally accurate but may have exceptions. The phrase is appropriate for neutral registers and sees frequent use in news, science, and formal contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context warrants a qualified statement rather than an outright affirmation or denial. Consider alternatives like "largely accurate" for similar expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's largely accurate

Replaces "mostly true" with "largely accurate", emphasizing the high degree of truthfulness.

that is generally correct

Uses "generally correct" instead of "mostly true", suggesting overall accuracy with possible minor exceptions.

that is true for the most part

Emphasizes the extent of truthfulness, suggesting that any deviations are minimal.

that's substantially correct

Substitutes "mostly true" with "substantially correct", indicating a significant degree of accuracy.

that holds true in most cases

Indicates the statement is valid under typical conditions or circumstances.

that's accurate to a degree

Indicates partial accuracy; useful when complete accuracy cannot be claimed.

that's partially correct

Suggests only a portion of the statement is accurate.

that has a kernel of truth

Implies a small but significant element of truth within the statement.

that is not entirely false

A milder way of saying something is partially true, often used to soften disagreement.

that's an oversimplification

Indicates the statement is true in broad strokes but lacks nuance or detail.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "that is mostly true"?

Use "that is mostly true" when a statement holds true in many situations but may have exceptions or qualifications. It's suitable when you want to acknowledge a general truth while recognizing its limitations.

What are some alternatives to "that is mostly true"?

You can use alternatives like "that's largely accurate", "that is generally correct", or "that is true for the most part" depending on the context.

Is "that is mostly true" the same as "that is partially true"?

No, "that is mostly true" implies a higher degree of accuracy than "that is partially true". "That is mostly true" suggests the statement is generally correct with minor exceptions, while "that is partially true" suggests only a portion of the statement is accurate.

How does Politifact use ratings like "mostly true"?

Organizations like Politifact use ratings like "mostly true" to indicate statements that contain some factual error or omission but are generally accurate. These ratings provide a nuanced assessment of truthfulness.