untrue

USAGE SUMMARY

'untrue' is a word that is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not accurate or valid. For example: "The rumor was deemed to be untrue after a thorough investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is untrue from start to finish, and was quite likely dreamt up by the Labour press office.

The Guardian

"Mr Carmichael said at the time that the first he was aware of this matter was when he received a call from a journalist, but we now know that this is simply untrue.

The Guardian

That is untrue.

The New York Times

"The allegation that he changed addresses for personal gain is untrue.

The Guardian

This is wholly untrue.

The New York Times

The poster for these current live shows, A Room With a Stew, features two oversized quotes: one from the Daily Telegraph calling him "toxic" and another from a Ukip parliamentary candidate describing his routine as "totally evil propaganda… untrue and unfunny".

The Guardian

What is worrying is that the original story was so clearly completely untrue and contained clear statements from the council that demonstrated this.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The allegation of double claiming is simply untrue.

The Guardian

A spokeswoman for the chancellor said Cable's criticisms were "untrue".

The Guardian

The same day, student X's father wrote another letter to Hall, alleging that, "senior BBC executives had made numerous public statements after the programme was broadcast that were either untrue or deceptive and designed to mislead the public as to the true nature of the BBC's involvement".

The Guardian

As Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie summed it up: "The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "untrue" to directly contradict a statement or claim, especially when emphasizing its lack of factual basis. It's a straightforward way to assert that something isn't in line with the truth.

Common error

While "untrue" is widely applicable, consider using more precise terms like "inaccurate", "fallacious", or "erroneous" in formal writing to convey nuanced degrees of falsehood.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "untrue" is as a predicative adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is not in accordance with fact. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "untrue" is a straightforward adjective used to describe something that does not align with reality or fact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media to refute claims or statements. While synonyms like false, inaccurate, and incorrect offer subtle nuances, "untrue" serves as a clear and direct way to express a lack of truth. While versatile, consider more precise vocabulary in formal contexts to enhance clarity. When using "untrue", you're directly asserting a contradiction, making it a powerful tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false

A direct synonym, indicating something is not in accordance with fact.

inaccurate

Implies a deviation from exactness or correctness.

incorrect

Suggests a deviation from what is right or accurate.

fallacious

Indicates a deceptive or misleading quality based on a fallacy.

erroneous

Suggests a mistake or error in information.

unfounded

Means lacking a solid basis or foundation in fact.

deceptive

Emphasizes the intent to mislead or create a false impression.

misleading

Suggests that something is likely to cause someone to believe something that is not true.

fabricated

Indicates that something has been invented or concocted, often with the intent to deceive.

counterfeit

Implies that something is fake or imitation, especially with the intention to defraud.

FAQs

How to use "untrue" in a sentence?

"Untrue" is used to describe something that isn't in accordance with facts or reality. For example, "The rumor was deemed to be untrue after a thorough investigation."

What can I say instead of "untrue"?

You can use alternatives like "false", "inaccurate", or "incorrect" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "untrue" or "not true"?

Both "untrue" and "not true" are grammatically correct, but "untrue" is more concise and direct. "Not true" might be preferred when emphasizing the negation.

What's the difference between "untrue" and "misleading"?

"Untrue" simply means not in accordance with fact, while "misleading" suggests an intention or likelihood to cause someone to believe something false. Something can be "untrue" without being intentionally misleading.