 |
| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | factum 'thing done', from facere 'to do, make' |
| |||||||||
fact S1 W1
1 a piece of information that is known to be true : Newspapers have a duty to provide readers with the facts. Your ability to write and argue is of little use if you get your facts wrong (=are wrong about something).
true information
[countable]Newspapers have a duty to provide readers with the facts. it's a fact/that's a fact (=used to emphasize that something is definitely true or that something definitely happened) The divorce rate is twice as high as in the 1950s - that's a fact.
The divorce rate is twice as high as in the 1950s - that's a fact. is that a fact? (=used to reply to a statement that you find surprising, interesting, or difficult to believe) 'She used to be a professional singer.' 'Is that a fact?'
'She used to be a professional singer.' 'Is that a fact?' it's a (well-known/little-known etc) fact that It's a fact that most deaths from lung cancer are caused by smoking.
It's a fact that most deaths from lung cancer are caused by smoking. get your facts right/straight (=make sure you are right about something) Mr Craig should get his facts straight before making false allegations.
Mr Craig should get his facts straight before making false allegations.Your ability to write and argue is of little use if you get your facts wrong (=are wrong about something). stick to the facts (=only say what you know is true)
hard facts (=information that is definitely true and can be proven) We need hard facts not just interesting theories.
We need hard facts not just interesting theories. the bare facts (=the basic details of a situation or story)
2 used when talking about a situation and saying that it is true : Our decision to build the museum in Hartlepool was influenced by the fact that there were no national museums in the North East. The fact we didn't win when we were so close is very disappointing.
the fact (that)
Our decision to build the museum in Hartlepool was influenced by the fact that there were no national museums in the North East. given the fact (that)/in view of the fact (that) (=used when saying that a particular fact influences your judgement about something or someone) Given the fact that this is their first game, I think they did pretty well.
Given the fact that this is their first game, I think they did pretty well. due to the fact (that)/owing to the fact (that) (=because) The school's poor exam record is largely due to the fact that it is chronically underfunded.
The school's poor exam record is largely due to the fact that it is chronically underfunded.The fact we didn't win when we were so close is very disappointing.3
in (actual) fact
a) used when you are adding something, especially something surprising, to emphasize what you have just said : I know the mayor really well. In fact, I had dinner with her last week.
I know the mayor really well. In fact, I had dinner with her last week.b) used to emphasize that the truth about a situation is the opposite of what has been mentioned : They told me it would be cheap but in fact it cost me nearly $500. Her teachers said she was a slow learner, whereas in actual fact she was partially deaf.
They told me it would be cheap but in fact it cost me nearly $500.Her teachers said she was a slow learner, whereas in actual fact she was partially deaf.4 used when you are telling someone what is actually true in a particular situation, especially when this may be difficult to accept, or different from what people believe : The fact of the matter is that he's just not up to the job.
the fact (of the matter) is
spokenThe fact of the matter is that he's just not up to the job.5 used to emphasize that what you are saying about a situation is true and people must realize this : The fact remains that the number of homeless people is rising daily.
the fact remains
The fact remains that the number of homeless people is rising daily.6 situations, events etc that really happened and have not been invented [≠ fiction]: Much of the novel is based on fact.
real events/not a story
[uncountable]Much of the novel is based on fact.7 the basic details, numbers etc concerning a particular situation or subject : Here are a few facts and figures about the country.
facts and figures
[plural]Here are a few facts and figures about the country.8 used to say that the things that have happened or the things someone has done show clearly that something is true
the facts speak for themselves
9 after something has happened or been done, especially after a mistake has been made
after the fact
➔ as a matter of fact
at matter1 (4); ➔ face facts
at face2 (2); ➔ in point of fact
at point1 (17)WORD CHOICE:WORD CHOICE: in fact, as a matter of fact, the fact is Use in fact or as a matter of fact to say more about a previous statement • Antibiotics will not help. In fact, they may make symptoms worse. • The album is brilliant - their best ever, as a matter of fact. You can also use in fact or as a matter of fact to correct what has been said • They had met but were not, in fact, friends. • 'You've never been there, have you?' 'As a matter of fact I have.' Use the fact is to introduce your main point or to say what the real truth is • Many women are constantly dieting. The fact is, most diets do not work. • The fact is, he's just no good at his job.
