fact
/fækt/ (bre, ipa) · /fækt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfakt/ (ame, mw)
fact — noun
- factsingular
- factsplural
1. something undeniably real or correct — a specific event, measurable detail, or e
something undeniably real or correct — a specific event, measurable detail, or established truth that can be supported with proof or reliable evidence
The medical report contained several facts about the patient's condition.
countable: several facts
Amihan spent two weeks gathering all the facts about the neighbourhood before renting an apartment there.
collocation: gather the facts
Before buying the used car, Adina checked the facts about its accident history.
Yael's claim that the project would fail was not based on fact — she simply disliked the design team.
- truth
broader, more abstract — 'truth' can refer to a general principle or moral correctness, while 'fact' usually points to a specific verifiable item
- reality
focuses on the actual state of things, often contrasting with how things appear or are imagined
- certainty
emphasises the absence of doubt rather than the evidence itself
文法句型
fact + that-clause
the fact that + clause
用法筆記
Can be used as a countable noun ('several facts') or as an uncountable noun ('separate fact from fiction'). The uncountable form treats truth as a general quality rather than individual items of information.
常見錯誤
2. used when you want to stress a point you are making, often to correct a previous
used when you want to stress a point you are making, often to correct a previous idea or to make your statement stronger
I thought the exam would be very difficult; in fact, it was quite easy.
discourse marker: in fact
Gabriel builds his own guitars — as a matter of fact, he has made five of them.
as a matter of fact
The fact is, we lack the funds to buy a house right now.
Layla claimed she had never met him, when in fact they had worked together for years.
文法句型
in fact
as a matter of fact
the fact is (that)
用法筆記
This sense only appears in fixed phrases — 'in fact', 'as a matter of fact', and 'the fact is (that)'. The word 'fact' does not stand alone with this meaning. Unlike sense 1, 'a fact' or 'the fact' without one of these phrases will not convey emphasis or correction.
常見錯誤
3. used to refer to a specific true situation, especially as the basis for making a
used to refer to a specific true situation, especially as the basis for making a comment or drawing a conclusion
The fact that Indra got the job surprised her colleagues.
the fact that + clause as subject
We cannot ignore the fact that the planet is warming at an alarming rate.
pattern: cannot ignore the fact that…
The teacher praised the fact that Ezra had improved so much this term.
The fact that the bridge was built in only two years is quite remarkable.
- the reality that
similar meaning but slightly more formal and often used for broader situations
- the circumstance that
more formal; emphasises the surrounding conditions rather than the truth itself
文法句型
the fact that + clause
用法筆記
Commonly followed by a 'that'-clause describing the situation. The phrase 'the fact that…' functions as a noun phrase and can act as the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 3 'the fact that' introduces a known situation as a topic, while sense 2 'the fact is' makes an emphatic statement.
常見錯誤
4. a real condition or state of affairs that you have to accept, even though it is
a real condition or state of affairs that you have to accept, even though it is unpleasant or hard to deal with
The fact of the matter is that many small shops will have to close.
the fact of the matter is (that)…
Manuela had to accept the fact that she would never walk again.
accept the fact that…
After her father's fall, Kemi had to accept the fact that she could no longer live alone.
Sooner or later, every athlete must face the fact that their career will end.
文法句型
the fact of the matter is
accept the fact that
a fact of life
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed phrases 'the fact of the matter is that…' and 'a fact of life'. The focus is on inevitability — the speaker or writer is signalling resignation or acceptance rather than presenting new information.
常見錯誤
5. the specific pieces of true information about a particular event, situation, or
the specific pieces of true information about a particular event, situation, or subject, often used in official, legal, or investigative contexts
The lawyer asked her client to tell her all the facts of the case.
the facts of the case
The police report contained all the relevant facts about the accident.
collocation: relevant facts
The journalist spent weeks gathering the facts for her investigation.
The detective spent months piecing together the facts of the robbery.
- details
broader — 'details' can include unimportant or unverified information; 'facts' implies the information has been checked
- particulars
more formal; often used in legal or administrative contexts
- data
refers to raw information, often numerical; 'facts' are interpreted and verified data points
文法句型
the facts about / of / on
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural. Common in journalism, law, police work, and official reports. 'The facts' in this sense implies a complete or sufficient set of details, not just one isolated piece.
常見錯誤
6. simple, age-appropriate information about sex, reproduction, and childbirth — of
simple, age-appropriate information about sex, reproduction, and childbirth — often used when describing what children are taught about these topics
The school nurse gave a talk to the fifth-graders about the facts of life.
the facts of life
Many parents find it awkward to explain the facts of life to their children.
At age twelve, Ife's older brother told him the facts of life.
The school board voted to update the facts-of-life curriculum for middle-school students.
- sex education
more direct and modern; 'facts of life' is softer and more traditional
- the birds and the bees
informal, often humorous; much less formal than 'facts of life'
文法句型
the facts of life
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'the facts of life'. This is a polite or euphemistic way to refer to sex education, especially when talking about teaching children. In modern usage, 'sex education' is more direct and common.