(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
You use the ~ that after some verbs or prepositions, especially in expressions such as in view of the ~ that, apart from the ~ that, and despite the ~ that, to link the verb or preposition with a clause.
His chances do not seem good in view of the ~ that the Chief Prosecutor has already voiced his public disapproval...
We have to lie and hide the ~ that I have an illness...
PHRASE: prep PHR cl, v PHR cl
2.
You use the ~ that instead of a simple that-clause either for emphasis or because the clause is the subject of your sentence.
The ~ that he had left her of his own accord proved to me that everything he’d said was true.
PHRASE: PHR cl, oft v PHR cl, prep PHR cl
3.
You use in ~, in actual ~, or in point of ~ to indicate that you are giving more detailed information about what you have just said.
We’ve had a pretty bad time while you were away. In ~, we very nearly split up this time...
He apologised as soon as he realised what he had done. In actual ~ he wrote a nice little note to me...
PHRASE: PHR with cl
4.
You use in ~, in actual ~, or in point of ~ to introduce or draw attention to a comment that modifies, contradicts, or contrasts with a previous statement.
That sounds rather simple, but in ~ it’s very difficult...
Why had she ever trusted her? In point of ~ she never had, she reminded herself.
= actually
PHRASE: PHR with cl
5.
When you refer to something as a ~ or as ~, you mean that you think it is true or correct.
...a statement of verifiable historical ~...
How much was ~ and how much fancy no one knew.
N-VAR
6.
Facts are pieces of information that can be discovered.
There is so much information you can almost effortlessly find the ~s for yourself...
His opponent swamped him with ~s and figures...
The lorries always left in the dead of night when there were few witnesses around to record the ~.
N-COUNT
7.
You use as a matter of ~ to introduce a statement that gives more details about what has just been said, or an explanation of it, or something that contrasts with it.
It’s not that difficult. As a matter of ~, it’s quite easy...
‘I guess you haven’t eaten yet.’—‘As a matter of ~, I have,’ said Hunter.
= actually
PHRASE: PHR with cl
8.
If you say that you know something for a ~, you are emphasizing that you are completely certain that it is true.
I know for a ~ that Graham has kept in close touch with Alan.
PHRASE: PHR after v emphasis
9.
You use the ~ is or the ~ of the matter is to introduce and draw attention to a summary or statement of the most important point about what you have been saying.
The ~ is blindness hadn’t stopped the children doing many of the things that sighted children enjoy...
The ~ of the matter is that student finances are stretched.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR cl