Collocations for fact - noun
ADJ.
important, interesting, relevant, salient
looking at all the relevant facts
looking at all the relevant facts
basic | concrete, hard, incontrovertible, inescapable, observable, obvious, plain, straightforward, true, undeniable
The police have to support their case with hard facts. | These are all incontrovertible facts.
The police have to support their case with hard facts. | These are all incontrovertible facts.
bare, brute, disturbing, harsh, sad, stark, unpalatable, unpleasant
the bare facts of war a rather harsh fact of life
the bare facts of war a rather harsh fact of life
little-known, well-known
It is a well-known fact that girls do better than boys at school.
It is a well-known fact that girls do better than boys at school.
mere
The mere fact of your being there will arouse their suspicions.
The mere fact of your being there will arouse their suspicions.
historical
VERB + FACT
be aware of, have, know
We haven''t got all the facts yet. | She already knew the facts she needed.
We haven''t got all the facts yet. | She already knew the facts she needed.
ascertain, establish, find out
the best way of establishing the facts
the best way of establishing the facts
check, examine, look at
I think you need to check your facts. | For God''s sake, look at the facts!
I think you need to check your facts. | For God''s sake, look at the facts!
prove
These facts have not yet been proved.
These facts have not yet been proved.
collect, gather | select
Historians must first select the facts that they present.
Historians must first select the facts that they present.
give, impart, present, state
The job of the teacher is not simply to impart facts. | I''m not making excuses - I''m just stating a fact.
The job of the teacher is not simply to impart facts. | I''m not making excuses - I''m just stating a fact.
interpret
different ways of interpreting the facts
different ways of interpreting the facts
account for, explain
How do you account for the fact that unemployment is still rising?
How do you account for the fact that unemployment is still rising?
accept, acknowledge, face, recognize
She wouldn''t accept the fact that she had lost. | I''m afraid you''ll have to face facts. She''ll never marry you.
She wouldn''t accept the fact that she had lost. | I''m afraid you''ll have to face facts. She''ll never marry you.
grasp
He doesn''t seem able to grasp this basic fact.
He doesn''t seem able to grasp this basic fact.
learn | assimilate
Students need time to assimilate the facts.
Students need time to assimilate the facts.
deny, dispute
No one can deny this fact.
No one can deny this fact.
ignore, overlook
This approach ignores the fact that people, not computers, commit crimes.
This approach ignores the fact that people, not computers, commit crimes.
be oblivious to | conceal, disguise, hide
If he was bored, he managed to hide the fact very well.
If he was bored, he managed to hide the fact very well.
obscure
The recent improvements should not obscure the fact that general standards are still far too low.
The recent improvements should not obscure the fact that general standards are still far too low.
draw attention to
The report draws attention to the fact that the country is now a net exporter of the product.
The report draws attention to the fact that the country is now a net exporter of the product.
emphasize, underline | confine yourself to, keep to, stick to
Just stick to the facts.
Just stick to the facts.
be based on
a novel based on historical fact
a novel based on historical fact
reflect
Prices reflect the fact that the company is aiming at the luxury market.
Prices reflect the fact that the company is aiming at the luxury market.
stem from
He knew their bitterness stemmed from the fact that he was in charge.
He knew their bitterness stemmed from the fact that he was in charge.
be explained by | be complicated by, be compounded by, be exacerbated by
The problem was compounded by the fact that I had no idea what I was looking for - only ‘some sort of clue’.
The problem was compounded by the fact that I had no idea what I was looking for - only ‘some sort of clue’.
lament, regret, resent
We sat miserably in the pub, lamenting the fact that our dry clothes were a 60-mile bus journey away. | She resented the fact that I was older and had more freedom than her.
We sat miserably in the pub, lamenting the fact that our dry clothes were a 60-mile bus journey away. | She resented the fact that I was older and had more freedom than her.
FACT + VERB
remain
The fact remains that we are still two teachers short.
The fact remains that we are still two teachers short.
PREP.
after the ~
On some vital decisions employees were only informed after the fact (= when it was too late to change them).
On some vital decisions employees were only informed after the fact (= when it was too late to change them).
apart from the ~
She was happy, apart from the fact that she could not return home.
She was happy, apart from the fact that she could not return home.
despite/in spite of/notwithstanding the ~
She''s taking her children on holiday, despite the fact that school starts tomorrow.
She''s taking her children on holiday, despite the fact that school starts tomorrow.
due to the ~
Due to the fact that they did not read English, the prisoners were unaware of what they were signing.
Due to the fact that they did not read English, the prisoners were unaware of what they were signing.
given the ~
The findings are not surprising, given the facts: …
The findings are not surprising, given the facts: …
in ~
I used to live in France; in fact, not far from where you''re going.
I used to live in France; in fact, not far from where you''re going.
~ about
We learned several interesting facts about elephants.
We learned several interesting facts about elephants.
PHRASES
(as) a matter of fact
It''s not wild speculation! It''s plain matter of fact.
It''s not wild speculation! It''s plain matter of fact.