Ask the Mountie

Why is there no verb to denote that we are telling the truth?

Dear Mountie

When we don’t say the truth we lie. Why there is no verb to denote that we are telling the truth?

Carlos Perez

Dear Carlos

As there is no absolute truth, it would be inconceivable to have a verb that would adequately and accurately describe the act of truth-telling. At best, you are describing an interpretation of what you consider to be the accurate and concise summary of the particular event or situation.

It is therefor suitable that you should have to circumvent the luxury of the single-word descriptor by using a phrase such as ‘telling the truth’.

It is much easier to verify that you’re not ‘telling the truth’, hence the handy verb describing said action.

Yours Truly

Mr Mountie

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