Fact vs. Opinion — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
A fact is a verifiable statement that can be proven true or false, whereas an opinion expresses personal beliefs, feelings, or thoughts that are subjective and not universally provable.
Difference Between Fact and Opinion
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Facts are objective statements based on empirical evidence, data, or observable phenomena that can be verified through investigation or measurement. On the other hand, opinions are subjective interpretations, judgments, or preferences that reflect personal views and cannot be proven true or false universally.
While facts are consistent and do not change regardless of personal feelings or beliefs, opinions are influenced by individual experiences, emotions, and biases, and can vary widely from person to person. This distinction is crucial in debates, research, and education, where factual accuracy is paramount.
In the context of news and information, facts provide the basis for informed understanding and decision-making, whereas opinions provide insights into different perspectives, adding depth and diversity to discussions. However, blending facts with opinions without clear distinctions can lead to misinformation.
Facts can be supported by evidence and cited from reliable sources, making them foundational in fields such as science and history. In contrast, opinions, while valuable in understanding human perspectives, are inherently personal and cannot be universally validated.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Objective and verifiable
Subjective and personal
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Verification
Can be proven true or false
Cannot be universally proven
Influence
Unaffected by personal feelings
Influenced by personal beliefs
Role in Communication
Provides information
Provides perspective
Variability
Constant regardless of perspective
Varies from person to person
Compare with Definitions
Fact
Remains constant regardless of personal feelings or beliefs.
The capital of France is Paris.
Opinion
A statement that reflects personal beliefs, feelings, or thoughts.
Chocolate is the best ice cream flavor.
Fact
Can be verified through investigation or measurement.
There are 24 hours in a day.
Opinion
Subjective and varies from one individual to another.
Winter is better than summer.
Fact
Universal and does not vary between different people.
Humans need oxygen to survive.
Opinion
Cannot be proven true or false in an objective way.
Movies are more enjoyable than books.
Fact
A statement that can be proven to be true or false.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
Opinion
Influenced by individual experiences and biases.
It's better to live in the city than the countryside.
Fact
Based on empirical evidence and observable phenomena.
The Earth orbits the Sun.
Opinion
Adds personal perspective to discussions and debates.
The painting is beautiful.
Fact
A fact is an occurrence in the real world. The usual test for a statement of fact is verifiability—that is whether it can be demonstrated to correspond to experience.
Opinion
An opinion is a judgement, viewpoint, or statement that is not conclusive, rather than facts, which are true statements.
Fact
A thing that is known or proved to be true
The most commonly known fact about hedgehogs is that they have fleas
He ignores some historical and economic facts
A body of fact
Opinion
A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof
"The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion" (Elizabeth Drew).
Fact
Knowledge or information based on real occurrences
An account based on fact.
A blur of fact and fancy.
Opinion
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert
A medical opinion.
Fact
Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed
Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.
Opinion
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing
Has a low opinion of braggarts.
Fact
A real occurrence; an event
Had to prove the facts of the case.
Opinion
The prevailing view
Public opinion.
Fact
Something believed to be true or real
A document laced with mistaken facts.
Opinion
A court's formal, usually written statement explaining its reasons for its decision in a case.
Fact
A thing that has been done, especially a crime
An accessory before the fact.
Opinion
An attorney's formal, usually written statement giving an assessment of how the law should be or is likely to be applied in a particular situation.
Fact
(Law) A conclusion drawn by a judge or jury from the evidence in a case
A finding of fact.
Opinion
A piece of testimony that is not usually admissible when given by a layperson, as in contrast to an opinion given by an expert witness.
Fact
Something actual as opposed to invented.
In this story, the Gettysburg Address is a fact, but the rest is fiction.
Opinion
A belief, judgment or perspective that a person has formed, either through objective or subjective reasoning, about a topic, issue, person or thing.
I would like to know your opinions on the new filing system.
In my opinion, white chocolate is better than milk chocolate.
Every man is a fool in some man's opinion.
We invite you to state your opinions about the suggestions.
Fact
Something which is real.
Gravity is a fact, not a theory.
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
Fact
Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation.
Let's look at the facts of the case before deciding.
Opinion
(obsolete) Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Fact
An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has been agreed upon by a substantial number of experts.
There is no doubting the fact that the Earth orbits the Sun.
Opinion
(obsolete) Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Fact
Information about a particular subject, especially actual conditions and/or circumstances.
The facts about space travel.
Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a doctor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
Fact
(databases) An individual value or measurement at the lowest level of granularity in a data warehouse.
Opinion
(European Union law) a judicial opinion delivered by an Advocate General to the European Court of Justice where he or she proposes a legal solution to the cases for which the court is responsible
Fact
(archaic) Action; the realm of action.
Opinion
To have or express as an opinion.
Fact
A wrongful or criminal deed.
He had become an accessory after the fact.
Opinion
That which is opined; a notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression, less strong than positive knowledge; settled judgment in regard to any point of knowledge or action.
Opinion is when the assent of the understanding is so far gained by evidence of probability, that it rather inclines to one persuasion than to another, yet not without a mixture of incertainty or doubting.
I can not put off my opinion so easily.
Fact
(obsolete) A feat or meritorious deed.
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people.
Friendship . . . gives a man a peculiar right and claim to the good opinion of his friend.
However, I have no opinion of those things.
Fact
Used before making a statement to introduce it as a trustworthy one.
Opinion
Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion.
This gained Agricola much opinion, who . . . had made such early progress into laborious . . . enterprises.
Fact
A doing, making, or preparing.
A project for the fact and vendingOf a new kind of fucus, paint for ladies.
Opinion
Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Fact
An effect produced or achieved; anything done or that comes to pass; an act; an event; a circumstance.
What might instigate him to this devilish fact, I am not able to conjecture.
He who most excels in fact of arms.
Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a counselor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
Fact
Reality; actuality; truth; as, he, in fact, excelled all the rest; the fact is, he was beaten.
Opinion
To opine.
Fact
The assertion or statement of a thing done or existing; sometimes, even when false, improperly put, by a transfer of meaning, for the thing done, or supposed to be done; a thing supposed or asserted to be done; as, history abounds with false facts.
I do not grant the fact.
This reasoning is founded upon a fact which is not true.
Opinion
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
Fact
A piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred;
First you must collect all the facts of the case
Opinion
A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people;
He asked for a poll of public opinion
Fact
A statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened;
He supported his argument with an impressive array of facts
Opinion
A message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof;
His opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
Fact
An event known to have happened or something known to have existed;
Your fears have no basis in fact
How much of the story is fact and how much fiction is hard to tell
Opinion
The legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision;
Opinions are usually written by a single judge
Fact
A concept whose truth can be proved;
Scientific hypotheses are not facts
Opinion
The reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
Opinion
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Common Curiosities
How can I identify if a statement is a fact or an opinion?
If the statement can be verified or proven through evidence, it's a fact; if it reflects personal thoughts or preferences, it's an opinion.
What is a fact?
A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false, based on evidence or direct observation.
Why is it important to distinguish between fact and opinion?
Distinguishing between them is crucial for accurate communication, decision-making, and understanding in many areas, including journalism and science.
Can facts change over time?
Facts themselves do not change, but our understanding of them can evolve with new evidence or data.
Can opinions ever be treated as facts?
Opinions cannot be treated as facts because they are subjective and based on personal views, not objective verification.
Why are opinions valuable if they are not facts?
Opinions add diversity to thought and debate, providing different perspectives and enriching discussions.
Is it possible for a fact to be incorrect?
A statement initially thought to be a fact can be proven incorrect with new evidence or better understanding.
How does an opinion differ from a fact?
An opinion expresses personal beliefs or feelings and cannot be proven true or false universally, unlike a fact.
What is the impact of confusing facts with opinions?
Confusing them can lead to misinformation, misunderstanding, and poor decision-making.
What is the role of education in understanding facts and opinions?
Education teaches how to critically assess information, distinguish between objective facts and subjective opinions, and use both appropriately.
How should one approach discussions involving facts and opinions?
Approach such discussions with an open mind, respect for different viewpoints, and a commitment to factual accuracy when stating information.
How do media outlets handle facts and opinions?
Reputable media outlets clearly separate news (facts) from editorial content (opinions) to maintain credibility and inform effectively.
Can a fact be subjective?
By definition, a fact is not subjective; it is objective and verifiable, independent of personal feelings or perspectives.
What role do facts play in academic and scientific fields?
Facts provide a reliable basis for research, studies, and discussions, ensuring that conclusions drawn are based on verifiable evidence.
How do personal experiences influence opinions?
Personal experiences shape individual perspectives, biases, and preferences, which in turn influence opinions.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
