uncertain facts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncertain facts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing information or data that is not clearly established or is ambiguous in nature. Example: "The report presented several uncertain facts that made it difficult to draw a definitive conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In doing so, I use certain and uncertain facts, but I add to the person I remember or have invented.

The New York Times

If Congress makes a decision based on uncertain facts, then it is using its judgment and doing what we elect them to do.

The New York Times

It turns on many uncertain facts, like the true progress of Iran's nuclear program and how much it can be affected by air attack; Iran's capacity and will to retaliate against an attack; whether there is any chance Iran would respond to negotiations; and the ability of the United States to withstand any retaliation while 150,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq.

The New York Times - Magazine

If the law does not cover all sorts of uncertain facts related to biotechnology and research, it may backfire in the judicial system.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Because many children will fall within the diagnostic zone of ambiguity, and because choosing a treatment plan requires grappling with uncertain facts about efficacy and long-term effects as well as with important values, that process will sometimes be difficult.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In quotes from the book: I am beginning to believe that nothing is quite so uncertain as facts.

The Guardian - Books

Although these authors go on to make a plea for "the provision of accurate and current information about MCI, separating fact from fiction" (p. 153), it remains uncertain whether fact and fiction have yet been distinguished even in the expert discourses of research and medicine.

The Gerontologist

Given known methodological limitations of HSMR use, this leaves the improvement community and policy-makers in an uncertain, in fact uncomfortable, place.

BMJ Quality and Safety

The tragedy of the Clark family was, of course, compounded by the death in March of Sally Clark (from a cause still unknown), but it neither honours her or her children, nor does more credit to one side than the other, to present as facts uncertain theories about the circumstances of Christopher and Harry's deaths.

The Guardian - Opinion

Individual victims and survivors often find themselves unable to move on when they are uncertain about crucial facts of the past.

SEP

The relationships between AID, Fe65, transcriptional control and induction of apoptosis are still uncertain, but several facts are of note.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "uncertain facts", clearly state the level of uncertainty and the sources of potential error or bias. This enhances transparency and allows readers to assess the information critically.

Common error

Avoid presenting "uncertain facts" as definitive truths. Always qualify such statements with appropriate caveats and acknowledge the limitations of the available evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncertain facts" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It describes a specific type of fact that is not definitively established or reliable. It is used to qualify the nature of the facts being discussed, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "uncertain facts" is grammatically sound and serves to denote facts that are not definitively established, often requiring cautious interpretation. While Ludwig AI validates the expression's usability, it's crucial to acknowledge the context in which it is being used. The phrase finds application across diverse fields like news, science, and formal communication. When employing "uncertain facts", prioritize transparency and acknowledge the limitations of the presented evidence. Employing alternative phrases such as "unverified information" or "ambiguous evidence" might be more appropriate based on the specific nuances you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unverified information

Focuses on the lack of confirmation for the information.

unconfirmed details

Emphasizes that the details have not been validated.

ambiguous evidence

Highlights the unclear or open-to-interpretation nature of the evidence.

debatable data

Suggests the data is open to discussion and disagreement.

questionable findings

Implies doubt about the validity of the findings.

tenuous grounds

Focuses on the weak or shaky foundation of a claim.

speculative assertions

Highlights that the statements are based on conjecture rather than proof.

dubious claims

Emphasizes the questionable nature of the claims.

unreliable statistics

Focuses on the lack of dependability in the statistical data.

conjectural information

Stresses that the information is based on guesswork.

FAQs

How should I present "uncertain facts" in my writing?

Always acknowledge the uncertainty. Use phrases like "it is believed that", "it is estimated that", or "studies suggest" to indicate that the information is not definitively proven. Providing context and potential sources of error is also helpful.

What are some alternatives to "uncertain facts"?

Consider using phrases like "unverified information", "ambiguous evidence", or "questionable findings" depending on the specific context.

Is it acceptable to use "uncertain facts" in formal writing?

Yes, but be cautious. Clearly label the information as uncertain and provide justification for its inclusion. Avoid presenting "uncertain facts" as definitive conclusions in formal contexts.

How do "uncertain facts" differ from assumptions?

"Uncertain facts" are pieces of information that may have some basis in evidence but are not fully confirmed. Assumptions are beliefs taken to be true without proof. While both involve a degree of uncertainty, "uncertain facts" are generally supported by some data, however limited, while assumptions are not.