fact

fact — 名詞

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

1.名詞A2
釋義

事實

可被證實為真的信息

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

例句

The medical report contained several facts about the patient's condition.

這份醫療報告包含了該患者病情的幾項事實。

countable: several facts

Amihan spent two weeks gathering all the facts about the neighbourhood before renting an apartment there.

Amihan 花了兩週時間蒐集該社區的所有資訊，然後才決定租下一間公寓。

collocation: gather the facts

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • fiction

    something invented or imagined

  • lie

    a deliberate false statement

  • opinion

    a personal belief that may or may not be true

文法句型

fact + that-clause

the fact that + clause

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B1
釋義

事實上

用來強調或修正前述內容

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

例句

I thought the exam would be very difficult; in fact, it was quite easy.

我本以為考試會非常難；事實上，它相當簡單。

discourse marker: in fact

Gabriel builds his own guitars — as a matter of fact, he has made five of them.

Gabriel 自己動手做吉他——事實上，他已經做了五把。

as a matter of fact

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

in fact

as a matter of fact

the fact is (that)

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B1
釋義

實情

引述某具體情況作為討論根據

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

例句

The fact that Indra got the job surprised her colleagues.

Indra 得到那份工作的事實讓她的同事們感到驚訝。

the fact that + clause as subject

We cannot ignore the fact that the planet is warming at an alarming rate.

我們不能忽視地球正在以驚人的速度暖化這個事實。

pattern: cannot ignore the fact that…

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

the fact that + clause

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

殘酷現實

令人不快但無可避免的現實

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

例句

The fact of the matter is that many small shops will have to close.

事實就是，許多小商店將不得不關門。

the fact of the matter is (that)…

Manuela had to accept the fact that she would never walk again.

Manuela 不得不接受自己再也無法走路的事實。

accept the fact that…

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

the fact of the matter is

accept the fact that

a fact of life

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B1
釋義

具體資訊

關於特定事件的詳細、經確認的信息

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

例句

The lawyer asked her client to tell her all the facts of the case.

律師請她的當事人告訴她案件的具體情況。

the facts of the case

The police report contained all the relevant facts about the accident.

警方報告包含了該事故的所有相關資訊。

collocation: relevant facts

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

the facts about / of / on

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B1
釋義

性知識

關於性與生育的基本知識

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

例句

The school nurse gave a talk to the fifth-graders about the facts of life.

學校護理師為五年級學生上了一堂關於性知識的課。

the facts of life

Many parents find it awkward to explain the facts of life to their children.

許多父母覺得向孩子解釋性知識很尷尬。

同義詞

文法句型

the facts of life

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.'