utter truth

USAGE SUMMARY

"utter truth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an absolute, indisputable truth that should be accepted without question. For example, "It is the utter truth that everyone should have equal access to education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

May described her as having "utter truth in her acting".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Worse, he has become that sort of underdog candidate who tries desperately to make a virtue of his humble standing, who chalks his failure up to his courage to utter truths that are, in many cases, far less bold than he makes them out to be.

The New York Times

If our aim were merely to utter truths, we should be willing to assert the proposition.

SEP

Ancient Delphi was the site of Apollo's oracle, believed to be inspired by the god to utter truths.

BBC

To quote Neil Gaiman, "It is a fool's prerogative to utter truths that no one else will speak".

Huffington Post

Arguably we do not trust speakers who utter very long sentences to have uttered truths, under the ordinary English interpretation of their sentences.

SEP

But an opponent might respond that interpreting ordinary speakers as uttering truths concerning logic can look rather similar to attributing true beliefs about quantum mechanics to infants.

SEP

It's almost as if someone shot a Democrat through with "spine," allowing him to stand up on his own two feet, clear his throat, and utter the truth, as if he had the right to speak the truth.

The New York Times

But to ask them to unfailingly and indiscriminately utter the truth in all its full glory on all occasions is to ask them to commit personal and political suicide and to sacrifice all prospects for comity and bipartisanship.

Huffington Post

I am afraid of the stark truths that come with complete and utter clarity.

Vice

So the cosmologist who utters the statement "the entropy of the Big Bang was remarkably low" has uttered a truth if and only if the entropy of the Big Bang was remarkably low.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter truth" when you want to emphasize the absolute and unquestionable nature of a statement. It adds a layer of certainty and finality to your assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "utter truth" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its strong emphasis on certainty can sound overly dramatic or pretentious in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter truth" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It emphasizes the absolute and complete nature of the truth being described. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

21%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utter truth" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the absolute and unquestionable nature of a statement. While grammatically correct, Ludwig notes that its usage is relatively rare and tends to occur in formal contexts, such as news articles and encyclopedic entries. It serves to assert a fact with strong conviction, leaving little room for doubt. Alternatives like "absolute truth" or "undeniable fact" may be more appropriate in less formal settings. Use "utter truth" judiciously to add emphasis to your writing, but avoid overuse in casual contexts to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absolute truth

Emphasizes the completeness and lack of ambiguity in the truth.

Complete honesty

Focuses on the quality of honesty being total and unreserved.

Unvarnished truth

Highlights the truth being presented plainly, without embellishment or disguise.

Undeniable fact

Stresses the impossibility of disputing or denying the truth.

Pure truth

Implies that the truth is unmixed and unadulterated.

The gospel truth

Suggests the truth is as reliable and trustworthy as a religious doctrine.

Unquestionable truth

Emphasizes that the truth cannot be doubted or challenged.

Verified truth

Focuses on the aspect of the truth being checked and confirmed.

Indisputable fact

Highlights that the fact cannot be argued against.

The honest truth

Stresses sincerity and lack of deception.

FAQs

How can I use "utter truth" in a sentence?

You can use "utter truth" to emphasize the indisputable nature of a statement. For example, "It is the "absolute truth" that everyone deserves equal opportunities."

What are some alternatives to "utter truth"?

Alternatives include "absolute truth", "complete honesty", or "undeniable fact". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utter truth" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "utter truth" can sound somewhat formal or emphatic. In everyday conversation, simpler phrases like "the complete truth" or "the plain truth" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "utter truth" and "plain truth"?

"Utter truth" emphasizes the absolute and unquestionable nature of the truth, while "plain truth" focuses on the straightforward and unembellished presentation of the truth. Both convey honesty, but "utter truth" carries a stronger sense of finality.