what is true

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "What is true?" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask a rhetorical question, such as: "What is true in life? Perhaps that it is all too fleeting..."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Is what is true of the past necessary?

SEP

What is true progress?

The Guardian - Books

So what is true patriotism?

The New York Times

What is true power, now?

The New Yorker

What is true and what is not?

The New Yorker

How do we know what is true?

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Search: What is true love?

Huffington Post

So what is true[x] actually offering?

TechCrunch

He simply knows what is true and what is not".

The New Yorker

What is true?

TechCrunch

It's hard to say simply what is true.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what is true" to introduce a statement of fact or a widely accepted belief to add emphasis and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid presenting personal beliefs or subjective interpretations as "what is true" without providing supporting evidence or acknowledging alternative viewpoints. This can undermine your credibility and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is true" functions as a noun phrase or clause that introduces a statement, question, or concept related to truth, reality, or validity. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this versatility, confirming the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

13%

Huffington Post

11%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is true" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to explore concepts of truth, reality, and validity. Ludwig AI affirms its usability across various contexts, ranging from casual inquiries to profound philosophical reflections. Evidenced by its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, the phrase holds significance in news, academia, and general discourse. Understanding its nuances and avoiding the pitfall of conflating opinion with fact will enhance your writing clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is accurate

Focuses on the precision and correctness of information.

what is factual

Emphasizes that something is based on verifiable facts.

what is genuine

Highlights authenticity and lack of deception.

what is authentic

Stresses the real and original nature of something.

what is valid

Indicates that something is well-founded and logically sound.

what is real

Emphasizes the existence and tangibility of something.

what is the reality

Focuses on the state of things as they actually exist.

what is the case

Refers to the actual circumstances or situation.

what holds true

Highlights something that remains valid or applicable over time.

what corresponds to reality

Emphasizes the alignment of something with the actual world.

FAQs

How can I use "what is true" in a sentence?

You can use "what is true" to introduce a factual statement, a widely accepted belief, or to question the nature of reality. For example: "What is true for one person may not be for another."

What's the difference between "what is true" and "what is factual"?

"What is true" is a broader term that can encompass beliefs and perspectives, while "what is factual" specifically refers to information that can be verified with evidence.

Which is a better phrase, "what is true" or "the truth"?

Both are correct but serve different purposes. "What is true" is used to inquire about or introduce a concept, whereas "the truth" refers to a specific instance or body of accurate information.

What can I say instead of "what is true"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "what is accurate", "what is genuine", or "what is the case".