Ways of Introducing Facts in Writing

Ways of Introducing Facts in Writing (For Essays, Articles & Reports)

Hello, dear English learners! One of the biggest differences between simple English and good academic or exam English is how you present facts.

Compare these two sentences:

• There are 200 parrot species on the island.
• It is common knowledge that there are over 200 parrot species on the island.

Both are correct. But the second one sounds more formal, more confident and more appropriate for essays, reports, and articles.

In this lesson, you will learn useful and natural expressions for introducing facts in writing. These phrases are especially valuable for B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE), essays, reports, articles, and proposals as well as more formal or semi-formal texts.

Let’s look at the most useful patterns.

Neutral & Direct Ways to State Facts

It is a fact that …

Meaning: used to introduce a true and unquestionable statement.

• It is a fact that smoking is a major cause of lung cancer.
• It is a fact that hundreds of companies go out of business every year.
• He has forgotten his German, and that is a fact.

It is certainly the case that …

Meaning: used to say that something is definitely true.

• It is certainly the case that housing has become more expensive in big cities.
• It is certainly the case that many people were forced to leave their homes after the hurricane.

Expressing Absolute Certainty

Know for a fact (that) …

Meaning: to be aware of something which is beyond doubt.

• Scientists know for a fact that oceans regulate Earth’s climate, acting like the planet’s heart.
• Today we know for a fact that the Sun makes a sound which humans cannot hear because it is beyond our hearing range.

Undeniably

Meaning: an adverb meaning that something is true or certain and cannot be denied.

• Undeniably, Michael was ahead of the whole class when it came to writing essays.
• When he touched his daughter’s forehead, Mark felt that it was undeniably warm.

Undoubtedly / Without a doubt

Meaning: certainly, unquestionably, beyond any doubt.

• Undoubtedly, Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time.
• Sara was, without a doubt, the most talented chef Peter had ever met.
• Without a doubt, more efforts must be made to encourage peace between the two countries.

Referring to General Knowledge

It is common knowledge that …

Meaning: a fact that most people know.

• It is common knowledge that a healthy diet improves quality of life.
• It is common knowledge that regular exercise reduces stress.

Everyone knows that … / Everybody knows that …

Meaning: used to say that something is widely known (slightly less formal).

• Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health.
• Everybody knows that experience is important in this profession.

It is no secret / It is hardly a secret that …

Meaning: used to say that something is widely known, even if people don’t always talk about it openly.

• It is no secret that young people find it hard to buy a flat.
• It is hardly a secret that the company is having financial problems.

Talking about What People Believe or Assume

It is generally assumed that …

Meaning: something is accepted as true, even if it is not proven.

• It is generally assumed that stress is one of the main causes of modern illness.
• It is generally assumed that people work better in a positive environment.

As might be expected, …

Meaning: used to say that something is logical or predictable.

• As might be expected, prices rose after the tax increase.
• As might be expected, the city centre was crowded on Saturday.

Stating the Obvious

It goes without saying that …

Meaning: something is so obvious that it does not need explanation.

• It goes without saying that education plays a key role in society.
• It goes without saying that safety should be our top priority.

Exam tip

In B2 and C1 writing, avoid repeating:

I think… I think… I think…

Instead, use:

• It is generally assumed that…
• It is common knowledge that…
• It is certainly the case that…
• Undoubtedly / Undeniably / Without a doubt…

This makes your writing more formal, more objective and more academic and exam-friendly .

These phrases help you sound more formal and confident, structure arguments better, avoid repetition and score higher in Cambridge writing tasks.