truth

When a person believes that something is a fact and then announces it, he or she tells the truth. (The verb "tell" is often used with "truth.")

• Is he telling the truth?
• Laurie told the truth regarding the incident.
• Newspapers are obligated to print the truth.
• Do you know what the truth is?
• I don’t think he can handle the truth.
• We need to find out the truth.
• Is that the truth or is it a lie?

The word "truthful" is an adjective.

• Do you think he’s being truthful?
• We believe she’s truthful.
• A person who is honest and truthful will make a good employee.

Related to the word "truth" is the word "true." This is also an adjective.

• Is that true? Is that the truth?
• Do you think this is true?
• The teacher told us a very funny, true story about something that happened to him when he was a student.
• The quiz we took was true or false. (The answers to the questions were "true" or "false.")
• Is he being true to his wife and kids? (Is he being a good husband and father?)

Sometimes the truth hurts.

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December 22, 2015