this is mostly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is mostly true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that a statement or idea is generally accurate but may have some exceptions or nuances. Example: "While the theory has been widely accepted, this is mostly true, as there are some cases that do not fit the model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

This is mostly true today, too.

The New York Times

This is mostly true for English, of course.

Stanford University

Though this is mostly true when flying over land, it is not when crossing large stretches of ocean.

The Economist

This is mostly true for the single clock case, where both views coincide, but when refined clocks come into play, both views become different: 1.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

This is mostly true – 3.0 will allow you to search through Email headers, which include the message's subject line and its 'To' and 'From' fields.

TechCrunch

This is mostly true in a situation where the GP cooperative and ED are not closely situated, like it is the case in the hospital this study was conducted in.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

This was mostly true for women who met guidelines for physical activity.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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

The New York Times

The app's website boasts, "Timehop helps you celebrate the best moments of the past with your friends," and this statement is mostly true, but there are some moments of the past no one wants to remember.

Huffington Post

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

Huffington Post

The Best Pop Solo Performance vertical is often filled with some of the biggest hits from every eligibility period, and this time around, that's mostly true...though not all of the nominated tracks were huge smashes.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is mostly true" to acknowledge a statement's overall validity while hinting at specific exceptions or nuances. This adds credibility and avoids overgeneralization.

Common error

Avoid using "this is mostly true" when the statement has significant or critical exceptions. Instead, qualify the statement directly to address the specific inaccuracies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is mostly true" functions as an evaluative statement, typically used to qualify or moderate a previous assertion. It indicates that while something is generally correct, there may be exceptions or nuances. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is mostly true" is a useful tool for expressing qualified agreement. As Ludwig AI affirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly employed across diverse contexts. When using "this is mostly true", remember that it signals general accuracy with potential exceptions. For alternatives, consider phrases like "this is largely correct" or "this is generally accurate". Be mindful not to overstate the accuracy when significant exceptions exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is largely correct

Emphasizes correctness on the whole, but leaves room for minor inaccuracies.

This is generally accurate

Highlights the overall accuracy of the statement, acknowledging potential exceptions.

This is substantially true

Stresses the significant truth within the statement, allowing for minor deviations.

This is mainly the case

Focuses on the prevalence of the statement being true.

This is true for the most part

Indicates that the statement holds true in the majority of instances.

This is accurate to a degree

Acknowledges a certain level of accuracy, without implying full correctness.

This holds true in general

Suggests the statement is typically true, though not necessarily in every case.

This is broadly correct

Similar to largely correct, but emphasizes the broad scope of correctness.

This is fairly accurate

Indicates that the statement has a good level of accuracy.

This is close to the truth

Highlights that the statement is near accurate without being precise.

FAQs

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

Use "this is mostly true" when you want to convey that a statement is generally correct but may have minor exceptions or nuances. It acknowledges that while the statement holds true in most cases, there might be specific instances where it doesn't apply.

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

You can use alternatives such as "this is largely correct", "this is generally accurate", or "this is substantially true" depending on the context and the degree of accuracy you want to convey.

Is "this is mostly true" the same as "this is completely true"?

No, "this is mostly true" implies that there are some exceptions or nuances, while "this is completely true" suggests that the statement is accurate without any qualifications. Using "this is mostly true" indicates a more nuanced and cautious assessment.

How can I use "this is mostly true" in a sentence?

You can use "this is mostly true" to qualify a statement. For example, "The theory is widely accepted, but "this is mostly true", as there are some cases that don't fit the model." Ensure that your sentence clearly indicates what aspects of the statement are accurate and what aspects might not be.