fact

fact — noun

1. something undeniably real or correct — a specific event, measurable detail, or e

1.nounA2
Definition

something undeniably real or correct — a specific event, measurable detail, or established truth that can be supported with proof or reliable evidence

Example

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

Common collocations
  • established fact
  • hard fact
  • scientific fact
  • historical fact
  • known fact
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • fiction

    something invented or imagined

  • lie

    a deliberate false statement

  • opinion

    a personal belief that may or may not be true

Grammar Patterns

fact + that-clause

the fact that + clause

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

It is a fact what the Earth is round.
It is a fact that the Earth is round.
after 'the fact' or 'a fact', use a 'that'-clause, not a 'what'-clause.
That is a factually information.
That is factual information.
'factual' is the adjective form; 'factually' is an adverb.

2. used when you want to stress a point you are making, often to correct a previous

2.nounB1
Definition

used when you want to stress a point you are making, often to correct a previous idea or to make your statement stronger

Example

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

Synonyms
  • actually

    similar function; 'actually' is more common in everyday spoken English, while 'in fact' is slightly more formal

  • indeed

    more formal and emphatic; 'indeed' often reinforces a point rather than correcting it

Grammar Patterns

in fact

as a matter of fact

the fact is (that)

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

In fact, I don't like it actually.
In fact, I don't like it at all.
using both 'in fact' and 'actually' in the same clause is redundant.

3. used to refer to a specific true situation, especially as the basis for making a

3.nounB1
Definition

used to refer to a specific true situation, especially as the basis for making a comment or drawing a conclusion

Example

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…

Common collocations
  • the fact that + clause
Synonyms
  • 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

Grammar Patterns

the fact that + clause

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

Due to the fact the flight was delayed, we missed our connection.
Due to the fact that the flight was delayed, we missed our connection.
the 'that' is required after 'the fact' in standard English.

4. a real condition or state of affairs that you have to accept, even though it is

4.nounB2
Definition

a real condition or state of affairs that you have to accept, even though it is unpleasant or hard to deal with

Example

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…

Common collocations
  • cold hard fact
  • fact of life
  • the fact of the matter
Synonyms
  • reality

    broader; 'reality' can refer to any actual situation, while 'fact' in this sense emphasises unavoidability

  • given

    more formal; a 'given' is something assumed to be true without question

Grammar Patterns

the fact of the matter is

accept the fact that

a fact of life

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

I need to face the fact.' (without further context)
I need to face the fact that I am not good enough.
'face the fact' needs a 'that'-clause specifying what the fact is.

5. the specific pieces of true information about a particular event, situation, or

5.nounB1
Definition

the specific pieces of true information about a particular event, situation, or subject, often used in official, legal, or investigative contexts

Example

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

Common collocations
  • the facts of the case
  • establish the facts
  • relevant facts
  • basic facts
  • the facts and figures
Synonyms
  • 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

Grammar Patterns

the facts about / of / on

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

We need to check all the fact before making a decision.
We need to check all the facts before making a decision.
in this sense, 'facts' is almost always plural.

6. simple, age-appropriate information about sex, reproduction, and childbirth — of

6.nounB1
Definition

simple, age-appropriate information about sex, reproduction, and childbirth — often used when describing what children are taught about these topics

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • the facts of life
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

the facts of life

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

My parents taught me the fact of life when I was ten.
My parents taught me the facts of life when I was ten.
the phrase is always plural: 'the facts of life', not 'the fact of life.'
Idioms

after the fact

idiom

After something has already happened, when it is too late to change or prevent it.

The manager criticized the decision after the fact.

Why are you telling me this after the fact?

as a matter of fact

idiom

Used to add a comment that gives more information or corrects a previous statement.

I don't mind helping you. As a matter of fact, I have free time.

She said she was busy, but as a matter of fact, she was just lazy.

the fact (of the matter) is (that)…

idiom

Used to emphasize that a statement is true, especially when it contradicts what was just said.

You may think it's easy, but the fact of the matter is that it's hard.

The fact is we don't have enough money for a vacation.

a fact of life

idiom

A situation that cannot be changed and must be accepted, often an unpleasant one.

Getting older is a fact of life that everyone must face.

For farmers, bad weather is just a fact of life.

facts and figures

idiom

Detailed and accurate information, often in the form of numbers or statistics.

The report includes all the facts and figures about sales.

Before investing, check the facts and figures of the company.

the facts of life

idiom

Information about sex and reproduction, especially as taught to children.

Parents often struggle to explain the facts of life to their kids.

The school offers a class on the facts of life for teenagers.

the facts speak for themselves

idiom

The available information is so clear that no further explanation is needed.

The crime rate dropped 20% — the facts speak for themselves.

Look at the test scores; the facts speak for themselves.

in (actual) fact

idiom

Used to give extra details or correct a previous statement, often emphasizing the truth.

He said he was late, but in fact he just forgot.

I thought the exam would be hard; in actual fact, it was easy.

in point of fact

idiom

Used to state what is actually true in a situation, often to correct a mistaken belief.

She appears young, but in point of fact she is over fifty.

In point of fact, the project was completed ahead of schedule.

Is that a fact?

idiom

Used to respond to a statement that is surprising, interesting, or hard to believe.

He claims he can run a mile in four minutes. Is that a fact?

She said she met the president. Is that a fact?

Word family

  • factual
    adjectiveB2
  • factually
    adverbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Fact, truth, reality, and certainty all relate to what is real or correct, but each emphasises a different aspect. A fact is a specific, verifiable piece of information — you can check it, prove it, or measure it ('The fact that water boils at 100°C is a scientific fact'). Truth refers more broadly to the quality of being true, often in moral or philosophical contexts ('She spent years searching for the truth about her family'). Reality describes the actual state of things as they exist, especially when contrasted with how things appear or what we wish were true ('The reality is that we cannot afford the trip'). Certainty focuses on the absence of doubt rather than on external proof ('There is no certainty that the plan will succeed'). Choose 'fact' when you can point to specific evidence; use 'truth' for broader, often personal, correctness; use 'reality' when contrasting with illusion or desire; and use 'certainty' when the focus is on the speaker's confidence level.

fact ↗truth ↗reality ↗certainty ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin 'factum', meaning 'something done or made' (from the verb 'facere', 'to do'). The word entered English through Old French in the 1400s, originally referring to a deed or action. By the 1500s, it had developed the modern meaning of 'something known to be true', shifting from 'a thing done' to 'a thing that really happened'. The legal and investigative senses ('the facts of the case') grew out of this later meaning in the 1600s.