facts

IPA/fˈakts/
KK[fˈækts]IPA/fˈækts/

facts — noun

1. pieces of information that are known to be true because they can be checked or p

1.nounA2
Definition

pieces of information that are known to be true because they can be checked or proved, and which are accepted as real by most people.

Example

The police gathered all the facts about the accident before writing the report.

the facts + about + noun phrase (accident)

Before you argue, make sure you have checked the facts carefully.

Common collocations
  • check the facts
  • the facts speak for themselves
  • the facts show / indicate / suggest
  • state the facts
  • hard facts
  • the basic facts
Synonyms
  • data

    more technical; often refers to raw numbers or measurements rather than general true statements

  • information

    broader meaning; can include unverified or incomplete details

Antonyms
  • opinions

    personal beliefs or judgments, not verified truths

  • lies

    deliberately false statements, the opposite of facts

Grammar Patterns

the facts + about/of + noun phrase

the facts + that-clause

Usage Note

Unlike 'truth' (which can be abstract or subjective), 'facts' are things that can be verified by evidence or observation.

Common Mistakes

Give me the truths, not your opinion.
Give me the facts, not your opinion.
'facts' are verifiable pieces of information; 'truths' can include personal beliefs.

2. used when speaking or writing to add a stronger or more exact statement, especia

2.nounB1
Definition

used when speaking or writing to add a stronger or more exact statement, especially one that corrects or contrasts with what was just said.

Example

The exam looked difficult, but in fact it was quite easy.

discourse marker: in fact + contrasting clause

"Is this your first time in Taiwan?" "No, as a matter of fact, I come here every year."

dialogic use: as a matter of fact

Synonyms
  • actually

    same discourse function, slightly more informal; 'in fact' feels slightly more formal and emphatic

  • indeed

    more formal; often used to confirm a previous statement rather than correct it

Grammar Patterns

in fact (,) + clause

as a matter of fact (,) + clause

Usage Note

This sense only appears in the fixed phrases 'in fact' and 'as a matter of fact'. It is not a standalone use of the noun 'facts'. Common in both spoken and written English to introduce a correction or an amplification.

Common Mistakes

In fact can replace the word actually.
In fact, you can use it instead of actually.
'in fact' is an adverbial phrase, not a noun phrase; it cannot be the subject of a sentence.

3. used to emphasise that a particular statement is true, especially when people mi

3.nounB1
Definition

used to emphasise that a particular statement is true, especially when people might disagree, doubt it, or find it inconvenient.

Example

Kenji says the plan is perfect, but the fact is that nobody checked the budget.

the fact is + that-clause introducing inconvenient truth

Some parents think the school is safe; in point of fact, several accidents have happened this year.

in point of fact (formal register)

Common collocations
  • the fact is
  • the simple fact is
  • the fact remains
  • in point of fact
  • the fact of the matter is
Synonyms
  • the truth is

    similar meaning but slightly less confrontational; 'the fact is' sounds more definitive

  • in reality

    focuses on the real situation versus what people think or say

Grammar Patterns

the fact is + that-clause

in point of fact + clause

the fact remains + that-clause

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2 (IN FACT): that sense introduces a correction or contrast to a previous statement. This sense insists on the truth of a statement despite disagreement or avoidance. Cannot be replaced by 'as a matter of fact'.

Common Mistakes

The fact is the weather is nice.
The fact is that the weather is nice.
a that-clause after 'the fact is' is standard, though the 'that' can be dropped in informal speech.

4. unpleasant but true aspects of a situation that people must accept even if they

4.nounB2
Definition

unpleasant but true aspects of a situation that people must accept even if they find them painful or difficult.

Example

Fatima knew she had to face the facts: her small shop could not compete with the big supermarkets.

fixed phrase: face the facts

Pavel needed many months before he could accept the facts about his father's illness.

Common collocations
  • face the facts
  • accept the facts
  • the hard facts
  • the facts of life
  • confront the facts
Synonyms
  • reality

    the actual state of affairs; 'face reality' is a near-synonym of 'face the facts'

Antonyms
  • delusion

    a false belief that avoids unpleasant truth

Grammar Patterns

face the facts

the facts of life

Usage Note

Common in the fixed expression 'face the facts'. The facts in this sense are always unwelcome. Unlike sense 1 (PROVEN TRUTHS), these are not neutral information — they carry emotional weight because accepting them requires changing one's view or behaviour.

Common Mistakes

You need to face the fact that you failed.
You need to accept the fact that you failed.
'face the facts' means to acknowledge an unpleasant truth; it does not necessarily mean accepting it willingly.

5. the practical pieces of information about a specific subject that someone needs

5.nounB1
Definition

the practical pieces of information about a specific subject that someone needs in order to make a decision, prepare a task, or understand exactly what is involved.

Example

Before buying a house, you should get all the facts about the neighbourhood and property prices.

get the facts + about + topic

The travel website gave us the facts we needed about visa rules and local customs.

Common collocations
  • get the facts
  • gather the facts
  • the facts about
  • learn the facts
  • the key facts
Synonyms
  • details

    less formal; can include less important specifics

  • particulars

    more formal; used in official or legal contexts

Grammar Patterns

the facts + about/of + topic

get/learn the facts

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (PROVEN TRUTHS): sense 1 asks 'is this statement true or false?', whereas this sense asks 'what specific details do I need for this decision or action?'. Use sense 5 when collecting practical details for a choice or task (e.g. loan rates, visa rules, treatment options); use sense 1 when discussing whether a broad statement is verifiably true (e.g. historical events, scientific findings).

Common Mistakes

Give me the fact about the price.
Give me the facts about the price.
in this sense, 'facts' is always plural; use 'information' for a singular form.

6. the details about sexual reproduction and how babies are born, especially when t

6.nounB2
Definition

the details about sexual reproduction and how babies are born, especially when these are explained to children for the first time.

Example

When Olu asked where babies came from, his mother decided it was time to explain the facts of life.

fixed phrase: the facts of life

The school invited a nurse to talk to the older students about the facts of life.

Common collocations
  • the facts of life
  • explain the facts of life
  • teach someone the facts of life
  • learn the facts of life
Synonyms
  • sex education

    the modern, broader term covering reproduction, relationships, and health; 'facts of life' is older and focuses specifically on reproduction

Grammar Patterns

the facts of life

Usage Note

Always used with the definite article: 'the facts of life'. This is a fixed idiom, not a productive use of the noun 'facts'. Cannot be broken up or modified (*'the basic facts of life' would revert to sense 4 meaning). Falling into disuse among younger speakers who prefer 'sex education'.

Common Mistakes

She told him facts of life.
She told him the facts of life.
the definite article is essential in this fixed phrase.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Facts', 'information', 'data', and 'evidence' all relate to knowledge, but they differ in scope and verification. 'Facts' are pieces of information that can be proved true — they are the most certain of the four. 'Information' is a broader umbrella term: it includes any collection of knowledge, whether verified or not. 'Data' is the most technical — it refers to raw figures, measurements, or statistics that can be analysed, like 'temperature data' or 'sales data'. 'Evidence' is information that supports a particular conclusion, especially in legal or scientific contexts: a fingerprint is evidence that someone was present. In everyday use, say 'check the facts' (verify truth), 'look at the data' (examine numbers), 'gather information' (collect any knowledge), or 'present evidence' (support an argument).

facts ↗information ↗data ↗evidence ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • as a matter of

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Fact' comes from the Latin word 'factum', meaning 'a thing done' or 'an event'. It entered English through French in the 15th century, originally carrying the sense of 'a deed or action'. Over time the meaning shifted from 'something that was done' to 'something that is true and can be proved'. By the 16th century, 'fact' was being used in legal and scientific contexts to mean 'an actual event or circumstance'. The plural form 'facts' became the dominant way to refer to pieces of verifiable knowledge, especially during the scientific revolution of the 17th century when systematic observation and proof became central to knowledge.