Fact vs. Opinion

A fact is a statement that can be proven true. An opinion is what someone thinks or believes. Knowing the difference between facts and opinions is an important skill. It helps you decide what to believe when you read or hear information.

How to Tell Them Apart

Facts can be checked and proven. For example, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit is a fact. Opinions include feelings and judgments. For example, chocolate is the best flavor is an opinion. Look for words like I think, I believe, best, and worst, which often signal opinions.

Why It Matters

Being able to spot facts and opinions helps you be a smarter reader. When you read a news article, you can separate the facts from the reporter's opinions. When you see an advertisement, you can tell which claims are facts and which are just trying to persuade you.

Fun Facts

• In a court of law, witnesses are asked to share facts, not opinions.
• Editorials in newspapers are opinion pieces, while news articles are supposed to stick to facts.
• Some statements can be tricky because they mix facts and opinions together.

Did You Know?

The phrase that is your opinion became popular because people realized how important it is to separate facts from personal beliefs.