---
title: "Fact vs opinion"
description: "Distinguish between statements of fact and statements of opinion in texts, recognising how authors blend factual information with subjective viewpoints"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fact-vs-opinion-mt_V6456X6pJE
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fact-vs-opinion-mt_V6456X6pJE.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Fact vs opinion

Distinguish between statements of fact and statements of opinion in texts, recognising how authors blend factual information with subjective viewpoints

Subject: English · Area: Reading Comprehension · Ages 10 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fact-vs-opinion-mt_V6456X6pJE

## Ready when they can

- Identify and label statements as fact or opinion in a newspaper article
- Explain why a statement is a fact by citing verifiable evidence or why it is an opinion
- Recognise persuasive techniques that present opinions as if they were facts

## Lesson: Fact vs opinion

A fact is something you can check and prove true, like a date, a measurement, or an event that happened. An opinion is what someone believes, feels, or judges, like whether something is good, ugly, or the best. The same sentence can hide clues that show which one it is.

**Example.** A newspaper reports: 'The town hall was built in 1932.' That's a fact, you can look it up in records. Then it adds: 'It is the most beautiful building in the county.' That's an opinion, someone's judgment about beauty.

*(drawing: One sentence, two parts. You can look up the year 1932 in records, but 'most beautiful' is a judgment, so that part is an opinion.)*

Writers often mix facts and opinions in the same paragraph. Remember why authors write: they pick which facts to include and add opinions to push you toward their view. Watch for words like best, worst, should, clearly, and everyone knows, they usually signal an opinion.

**Example.** An article says: 'Since ticket sales doubled this year, the festival is obviously the greatest event in the city.' Ticket sales doubling is a fact you can check. 'Obviously the greatest' is the writer's opinion dressed up to sound certain.

**Tip.** Ask yourself: can I check this with a record, a measurement, or a named source? If yes, it's likely a fact. If it's a judgment, feeling, or word like best or worst, it's an opinion.

**Recap.** Facts can be checked and proven; opinions are beliefs and judgments, so read closely to spot which is which.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Spotting Facts and Opinions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/spotting-facts-and-opinions-mt_jJBprWe2pe)
- [Why the author wrote it](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/why-the-author-wrote-it-mt_OltpfaX7l6)

## Opens up

- [Purpose, audience, and context](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/purpose-audience-and-context-mt_jIcgbCmziD)
- [Summarising Non-Fiction Main Ideas](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/summarising-non-fiction-main-ideas-mt_XnRhhEqJLJ)