fact
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++fact /fækt/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 true information 真实信息 [countable]TRUEINFORMATION a piece of information that is known to be true 事实；真相fact about The book is full of facts about the World Cup. 这本书全是有关世界杯的真实信息。fact of First of all, we need to know the facts of the case. 首先，我们需要了解案子的相关事实。it’s a fact/that’s a fact (=used to emphasize that something is definitely true or that something definitely happened) 这/那是事实〔用于强调〕 The divorce rate is twice as high as in the 1950s – that’s a fact. 现在的离婚率是20世纪50年代的两倍——事实就是如此。is that a fact? (=used to reply to a statement that you find surprising, interesting, or difficult to believe) 真的吗？ ‘She used to be a professional singer.’ ‘Is that a fact?’ “她过去是个专业歌手。”“真的吗？”2 the fact (that) TRUEused when talking about a situation and saying that it is true （…的）事实 Our decision to build the museum in Hartlepool was influenced by the fact that there were no national museums in the North East. 我们之所以决定在哈特尔浦建造博物馆，是因为东北地区没有国家级的博物馆。 He refused to help me, despite the fact that I asked him several times. 尽管我求了他好几次，他还是拒绝帮助我。given the fact (that)/in view of the fact (that) (=used when saying that a particular fact influences your judgment about something or someone) 鉴于，考虑到 Given the fact that this is their first game, I think they did pretty well. 考虑到这是他们的首场比赛，我认为他们表现得很好了。due to the fact (that)/owing to the fact (that) (=because) 由于，因为 The school’s poor exam record is largely due to the fact that it is chronically underfunded. 这所学校考试成绩差，主要是由于长期以来资金不足。 The fact we didn’t win when we were so close is very disappointing. 我们与胜利失之交臂，这真令人沮丧。3 in (actual) fact a) IN FACTused when you are adding something, especially something surprising, to emphasize what you have just said 事实上〔用于补充说明，强调前面所说的话〕 I know the mayor really well. In fact, I had dinner with her last week. 我跟市长很熟，事实上，我上周还和她一起吃过饭呢。 b) IN FACTused to emphasize that the truth about a situation is the opposite of what has been mentioned 事实上，实际上〔用于强调实际情况与刚提及的恰恰相反〕 They told me it would be cheap but in fact it cost me nearly $500. 他们对我说便宜，但实际上这花了我将近500美元。 Her teachers said she was a slow learner, whereas in actual fact she was partially deaf. 老师都说她学得慢，而其实她部分失聪。4 the fact (of the matter) is spokenIN FACT 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 事实是/实际情况是〔尤指事实难以接受或与人们所想不同〕 The fact of the matter is that he’s just not up to the job. 实际情况是他根本就不能胜任那份工作。5 the fact remains IN FACTused to emphasize that what you are saying about a situation is true and people must realize this 事实是，真实的情况是〔用于强调所说的某一情况为事实，人们必须意识到〕 The fact remains that the number of homeless people is rising daily. 现实就是无家可归的人每天都在增加。6 TRUEreal events/not a story 真实的事件/非故事 [uncountable] situations, events etc that really happened and have not been invented 真实情况 OPP fiction Much of the novel is based on fact. 这本小说的大部分以真人真事为基础。 It’s a news reporter’s job to separate fact from fiction. 新闻记者的职责就是要区分真实和虚构。7 facts and figures [plural] the basic details, numbers etc concerning a particular situation or subject 基本资料 Here are a few facts and figures about the country. 这是该国的一些基本资料。8. the facts speak for themselves used to say that the things that have happened or the things someone has done show clearly that something is true 事实足以说明一切9. after the fact AFTERafter something has happened or been done, especially after a mistake has been made 情况发生后，事后〔尤指错误发生后〕 → as a matter of fact at matter1(4), → face facts at face2(2), → in point of fact at point1(17) COLLOCATIONSadjectivesthe basic/key facts 基本的/关键的事实The report outlines the basic facts concerning the case. 这份报告概述了此案的基本事实。a well-known fact 众所周知的事实It is a well-known fact that new cars lose a lot of their value in the first year. 新车第一年就贬值得厉害，这大家都知道。a little-known fact 鲜为人知的事实nIt is a little-known fact that the actor was born in London.an interesting fact 有趣的事实nThe research revealed some interesting facts about the behaviour of cats.a curious/remarkable fact 奇怪的/显著的事实nIt is a remarkable fact that elephants do not use their trunks to suck up water until they are over four months old.hard facts (=information that is definitely true and can be proven) 确凿的事实nHis theory is supported by hard facts.a historical/scientific fact 历史的真相/科学的事实nThis was presented as a historical fact when it was just an opinion.the bare facts (=only the basic general facts of a situation) 基本事实nWe know the bare facts of his life, but nothing about what he was really like.verbsgive somebody/provide the facts 告诉某人真相/提供事实真相Newspapers have a duty to give their readers the facts. 报纸有责任告诉读者真相。establish/piece together the facts (=find out what actually happened in a situation) 确定真相/拼出真相The police are still piecing together the facts. 警方仍在努力拼凑出真相。examine the facts 调查事实nI decided to examine the facts for myself.state the facts (=say what you know is true) 陈述事实nPress reports often fail to state the facts completely.stick to the facts (=say only what you know is true) 只讲事实nJust stick to the facts when the police interview you.phrasesknow for a fact (=used to say that something is definitely true) 肯定I know for a fact that she is older than me. 我可以肯定她比我大。get your facts right/straight (=make sure that what you say or believe is correct) 弄清事实You should get your facts straight before making accusations. 指责前先要弄清事实真相。get your facts wrong 弄错事实nIt’s no use putting together a beautifully-written argument if you get your facts wrong.Examples from the Corpus
fact• Gentry still owed Mr Tilly $7,000, a fact he failed to mention when he was arrested.• It is a fact that the world is round.• You need to back up your theory with one or two hard facts.• Confucianism was above all, in fact, the expression of a particular caste, the educated class known as mandarins.• Although her poems appear short and simple, they in fact possess an ever-deepening complexity.• At least if you had no reason to think either would in fact allow more abortions?• In fact house prices have reached such proportions in some areas that many engaged couples have had to postpone their weddings.• In fact the Acapulco is a good all round Club base.• In fact the company says that making Ingres secure involves only around a 3% addition to the product in terms of code.• In fact, no one will admit to being the slightest bit nervous about the lift.• The book is full of interesting facts about plant life.• He's never tried to hide the fact that he spent time in jail.• I'm not interested in your opinions - I just want to know the facts.• It's important that young people learn the facts about drugs.• The most important thing is to find out what the facts are and put the scandal behind us.• The fact is, this is a business deal.fact about• The book is full of interesting facts about plants.fact from fiction• Perhaps it is not reasonable to expect news reporters to sort fact from fiction when complex environmental issues are at stake.Origin fact (1400-1500) Latin factum “thing done”, from facere “to do, make”fact noun →COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChinese
piece of Corpus known is information a to that
fact
fact S1 W1 /fækt/
noun
fact about
The book is full of facts about the World Cup.
fact of
First of all, we need to know the facts of the case.
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.
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?’
2. the fact (that) 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.
He refused to help me, despite the fact that I asked him several times.
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.
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 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.
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.
4. the fact (of the matter) is spoken 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.
5. the fact remains 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.
6. REAL EVENTS/NOT A STORY [uncountable] situations, events etc that really happened and have not been invented
OPP fiction:
Much of the novel is based on fact.
It’s a news reporter’s job to separate fact from fiction.
7. facts and figures [plural] the basic details, numbers etc concerning a particular situation or subject:
Here are a few facts and figures about the country.
8. the facts speak for themselves used to say that the things that have happened or the things someone has done show clearly that something is true
9. after the fact after something has happened or been done, especially after a mistake has been made
⇨ as a matter of fact at matter1(4), ⇨ face facts at face2(2), ⇨ in point of fact at point1(17)
■ adjectives
▪the basic/key facts The report outlines the basic facts concerning the case.
▪a well-known fact It is a well-known fact that new cars lose a lot of their value in the first year.
▪a little-known fact It is a little-known fact that the actor was born in London.
▪an interesting fact The research revealed some interesting facts about the behaviour of cats.
▪a curious/remarkable fact It is a remarkable fact that elephants do not use their trunks to suck up water until they are over four months old.
▪hard facts (=information that is definitely true and can be proven) His theory is supported by hard facts.
▪a historical/scientific fact This was presented as a historical fact when it was just an opinion.
▪the bare facts (=only the basic general facts of a situation) We know the bare facts of his life, but nothing about what he was really like.
■ verbs
▪give somebody/provide the facts Newspapers have a duty to give their readers the facts.
▪establish/piece together the facts (=find out what actually happened in a situation) The police are still piecing together the facts.
▪examine the facts I decided to examine the facts for myself.
▪state the facts (=say what you know is true) Press reports often fail to state the facts completely.
▪stick to the facts (=say only what you know is true) Just stick to the facts when the police interview you.
■ phrases
▪know for a fact (=used to say that something is definitely true) I know for a fact that she is older than me.
▪get your facts right/straight (=make sure that what you say or believe is correct) You should get your facts straight before making accusations.
▪get your facts wrong It’s no use putting together a beautifully-written argument if you get your facts wrong.
fact S1 W1 /fækt/
noun Date: 1400-1500
Language: Latin
Origin: factum 'thing done', from facere 'to do, make'
1. TRUE INFORMATION [countable] a piece of information that is known to be trueLanguage: Latin
Origin: factum 'thing done', from facere 'to do, make'
fact about
fact of
it’s a fact/that’s a fact (=used to emphasize that something is definitely true or that something definitely happened)
is that a fact? (=used to reply to a statement that you find surprising, interesting, or difficult to believe)
2. the fact (that) used when talking about a situation and saying that it is true:
given the fact (that)/in view of the fact (that) (=used when saying that a particular fact influences your judgement about something or someone)
due to the fact (that)/owing to the fact (that) (=because)
3. in (actual) fact
a. used when you are adding something, especially something surprising, to emphasize what you have just said:
b. used to emphasize that the truth about a situation is the opposite of what has been mentioned:
4. the fact (of the matter) is spoken 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:
5. the fact remains used to emphasize that what you are saying about a situation is true and people must realize this:
6. REAL EVENTS/NOT A STORY [uncountable] situations, events etc that really happened and have not been invented
OPP fiction:
7. facts and figures [plural] the basic details, numbers etc concerning a particular situation or subject:
8. the facts speak for themselves used to say that the things that have happened or the things someone has done show clearly that something is true
9. after the fact after something has happened or been done, especially after a mistake has been made
⇨ as a matter of fact at matter1(4), ⇨ face facts at face2(2), ⇨ in point of fact at point1(17)
| COLLOCATIONS |
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
■ verbs
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
■ phrases
▪
▪
▪
Ways of saying 'but' “但是” 的表达方式
◆ Politicians have promised to improve road safety. So far, however , little has been achieved.政客们承诺要加强道路安全。但是，迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Despite clear evidence from road safety studies, no new measures have been introduced.尽管道路安全研究已得出确切依据，但仍未实施任何新措施。 ◆ Politicians have promised to improve road safety. In spite of this /Despite this , little has been achieved so far.政客们承诺要加强道路安全。尽管如此，迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Although politicians have promised to improve road safety, little has been achieved so far.尽管政客们承诺要加强道路安全，但是迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Some politicians claim that the new transport policy has been a success. In fact , it has been a total disaster.一些政客宣称新的交通政策非常成功，实际上却是彻头彻尾的失败。 ◆ Government campaigns have had a measure of success, but the fact remains that large numbers of accidents are still caused by careless drivers.政府的宣传活动取得了一定的成功，但实际情况是大量的交通事故仍然是由于驾驶者疏忽造成的。
Ways of saying 'but' “但是” 的表达方式
◆ Politicians have promised to improve road safety. So far, however , little has been achieved.政客们承诺要加强道路安全。但是，迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Despite clear evidence from road safety studies, no new measures have been introduced.尽管道路安全研究已得出确切依据，但仍未实施任何新措施。 ◆ Politicians have promised to improve road safety. In spite of this /Despite this , little has been achieved so far.政客们承诺要加强道路安全。尽管如此，迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Although politicians have promised to improve road safety, little has been achieved so far.尽管政客们承诺要加强道路安全，但是迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Some politicians claim that the new transport policy has been a success. In fact , it has been a total disaster.一些政客宣称新的交通政策非常成功，实际上却是彻头彻尾的失败。 ◆ Government campaigns have had a measure of success, but the fact remains that large numbers of accidents are still caused by careless drivers.政府的宣传活动取得了一定的成功，但实际情况是大量的交通事故仍然是由于驾驶者疏忽造成的。
Ways of saying 'but' “但是” 的表达方式
◆ Politicians have promised to improve road safety. So far, however , little has been achieved.政客们承诺要加强道路安全。但是，迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Despite clear evidence from road safety studies, no new measures have been introduced.尽管道路安全研究已得出确切依据，但仍未实施任何新措施。 ◆ Politicians have promised to improve road safety. In spite of this /Despite this , little has been achieved so far.政客们承诺要加强道路安全。尽管如此，迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Although politicians have promised to improve road safety, little has been achieved so far.尽管政客们承诺要加强道路安全，但是迄今为止成效微乎其微。 ◆ Some politicians claim that the new transport policy has been a success. In fact , it has been a total disaster.一些政客宣称新的交通政策非常成功，实际上却是彻头彻尾的失败。 ◆ Government campaigns have had a measure of success, but the fact remains that large numbers of accidents are still caused by careless drivers.政府的宣传活动取得了一定的成功，但实际情况是大量的交通事故仍然是由于驾驶者疏忽造成的。