Fact, opinion and interpretation — Language, 11–13
Statements can report something checkable, express a judgement, or explain what something means. Telling these apart helps you read carefully, because confident wording does not turn an opinion or interpretation into a fact.
Three kinds of statement
A fact is a statement that can be checked, such as “The library opens at nine.” An opinion gives a personal judgement, such as “The library is beautiful.” An interpretation explains meaning from information, such as “The early opening helps commuters”; it may be sensible without being directly stated.
Why the difference matters
A timetable, a review and a news report may all sound certain while doing different jobs. If you mistake an opinion for a fact, you may repeat someone’s preference as if it were proven. If you mistake an interpretation for a fact, you may miss that another explanation is possible. The distinction keeps your reading honest.
Sorting three statements
Consider these statements about a match: “The final score was 2–1.” “It was the most exciting match ever.” “The winning goal changed the players’ confidence.” First, check the type: the score is a fact. “Most exciting” is an opinion because it judges. The confidence sentence is an interpretation: it proposes what the goal meant, but would need more information to confirm.
Strong wording proves nothing
Words such as “obviously”, “everyone knows” and “the best” can make a statement feel factual. That feeling is reasonable: confident language often signals that the writer wants trust. Still, ask what kind of statement it is and whether it can be checked. Certainty in the voice is not evidence in the world.
Useful when information arrives
Use the three-way check when you read a review, watch a video or hear a claim in a group chat. Mark what could be checked, what expresses a judgement and what explains meaning. Then you know which parts to verify, which to discuss and which to hold as a possible interpretation.
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