- fact
- [[t]fæ̱kt[/t]]
♦facts1) PHRASE: prep PHR cl, v PHR cl You use the fact that after some verbs or prepositions, especially in expressions such as in view of the fact that, apart from the fact that, and despite the fact that, to link the verb or preposition with a clause.
His chances do not seem good in view of the fact that the Chief Prosecutor has already voiced his public disapproval...
Despite the fact that the disease is so prevalent, treatment is still far from satisfactory...
No amount of encouragement can hide the fact that talking about very personal issues with a stranger is intimidating...
In Rome, meeting him every morning, he soon became aware of the fact that Erter was ill.
2) PHRASE: PHR cl, oft v PHR cl, prep PHR cl You use the fact that instead of a simple that-clause either for emphasis or because the clause is the subject of your sentence.My family now accepts the fact that I don't eat sugar or bread...
The fact that he had left her of his own accord proved to me that everything he'd said was true.
3) PHRASE: PHR with cl You use in fact, in actual fact, or in point of fact to indicate that you are giving more detailed information about what you have just said.We've had a pretty bad time while you were away. In fact, we very nearly split up this time...
He apologised as soon as he realised what he had done. In actual fact he wrote a nice little note to me...
John Major didn't go to university. In fact he left school at 16.
4) PHRASE: PHR with cl You use in fact, in actual fact, or in point of fact to introduce or draw attention to a comment that modifies, contradicts, or contrasts with a previous statement.That sounds rather simple, but in fact it's very difficult...
They complained that they had been trapped inside the police station, but in fact most were seen escaping over the adjacent roofs to safety in nearby buildings...
Why had she ever trusted her? In point of fact she never had, she reminded herself.
Syn:5) N-VAR When you refer to something as a fact or as fact, you mean that you think it is true or correct....a statement of verifiable historical fact...
How much was fact and how much fancy no one knew.
6) N-COUNT Facts are pieces of information that can be discovered.There is so much information you can almost effortlessly find the facts for yourself...
His opponent swamped him with facts and figures...
The lorries always left in the dead of night when there were few witnesses around to record the fact.
7) PHRASE: PHR with cl You use as a matter of fact to introduce a statement that gives more details about what has just been said, or an explanation of it, or something that contrasts with it.The local people saw all the suffering to which these deportees were subjected. And, as a matter of fact, the local people helped the victims of these deportations...
`I guess you haven't eaten yet.' - `As a matter of fact, I have,' said Hunter.
Syn:8) PHRASE: PHR after v (emphasis) If you say that you know something for a fact, you are emphasizing that you are completely certain that it is true.I know for a fact that baby corn is very expensive in Europe...
I know for a fact that Graham has kept in close touch with Alan.
9) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR cl You use the fact is or the fact of the matter is to introduce and draw attention to a summary or statement of the most important point about what you have been saying.The fact is blindness hadn't stopped the children doing many of the things that sighted children enjoy...
I found that election rallies were being very poorly attended. But the fact of the matter is that they're not terribly interested in this election.
10) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR that (emphasis) You say the fact remains that something is the case when you want to emphasize that the situation must be accepted.The fact remains that inflation, however you measure it, is unacceptably high...
His admirers claim that he came to power perfectly legally, but the fact remains that he did so by exploiting an illegal situation.
11) PHRASE: cl PHR (emphasis) You say and that's a fact to emphasize the truth or correctness of a statement that you have just made. [INFORMAL]We aren't playing well as a team, and that's a fact...
He is a dull writer and that's a fact.
12) CONVENTION You say is that a fact? as a response to a statement which you find surprising, interesting, or unlikely. [INFORMAL]`I'm still staff colonel.' - `Is that a fact?'
English dictionary. 2008.
