fact

Definitions

fact is the bare root, from Latin factum, 'a thing done.' That single idea explains the whole word: a fact is not a guess or an opinion — it is something that has actually been done or has happened, and so can be checked. This is the cleanest place to see the root: fac = make/do, factum = what was done.

Why It Means This

Fact descends directly from Latin factum, the past participle of facere ('to do, make') — literally 'a thing done.' The logic is beautiful: what has actually been done can be verified, so a fact came to mean a verifiable truth, opposed to opinion or fiction (which is something merely 'fashioned' in the mind).

Common Collocations

• 1.in fact事实上
• 2.as a matter of fact事实上；说实在的
• 3.hard facts铁的事实
• 4.the fact that……这一事实
• 5.facts and figures确凿的数据

Example Sentences

• 1.

  You can't argue with the facts: sales dropped 20% last year.

• 2.

  It's a fact that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

• 3.

  Let's separate the facts from the rumors.

Easily Confused

fact vs. opinion: a fact can be checked and proven true or false; an opinion is a personal judgment that can't be proven. 'It's hot' is opinion; 'It's 38°C' is fact.