a thread of evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thread of evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a small but significant piece of information that supports a larger argument or theory. Example: "The detective found a thread of evidence that linked the suspect to the crime scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Researchers have in fact laid down a fragile thread of evidence, publishing several small studies in just the past year of children identified with sensory processing problems and normal I.Q.'s — that is, no developmental problems.

The New York Times - Health

The gentleman argues that "the consensus view of the respective groups of every advanced nation on climate change cannot be ignored while we wait for an unobtainable golden thread of evidence".If the science behind the theory is sound, why is this evidence "unobtainable"; we are dealing with physical matter are we not?

The Economist

15 1 A THREAD OF GRACE, by Mary Doria Russell.

The New York Times

For an everyday analogy, think of a thread of cotton.

The Economist

A thread of #Coachella highlights thus far.

Huffington Post

Draw a thread of events together.

WikiHow

The conclusion that Moscow had somehow penetrated the American government -- perhaps with a well-placed mole or some other intelligence technique -- was drawn by these officials from older threads of evidence in a series of seemingly unrelated breakdowns.

The New York Times

"There's a tendency for people to spin very convoluted stories on tenuous threads of evidence.

BBC

Weaving all these various threads of evidence together into something cohesive can be an overwhelming task.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The best archaeological theorizing uses amazing powers of deduction to weave slender threads of evidence into convincing reconstructions of past lives.

The New York Times - Books

The threads of evidence usually seem separate and sure only because life mostly comes at us in finished fabrics, and nothing requires us to pull the thread.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a thread of evidence" to highlight a subtle but potentially crucial piece of information that contributes to a larger understanding or conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "a thread of evidence" when the evidence is substantial or conclusive. This phrase is best suited for minor, suggestive clues, not definitive proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thread of evidence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a slight or tenuous piece of information that points towards a particular conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thread of evidence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that describes a subtle yet potentially important piece of information. Though less frequently used, Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is typically found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts to emphasize a small clue supporting a larger claim. Consider alternative phrases such as "a trace of evidence" or "a hint of evidence" to vary your writing. Use it carefully to avoid overstating the evidence's importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trace of evidence

Replaces "thread" with "trace", emphasizing a minimal amount of evidence.

a hint of evidence

Substitutes "thread" with "hint", suggesting a subtle indication of evidence.

a glimmer of evidence

Uses "glimmer" instead of "thread", implying a faint or weak piece of evidence.

a fragment of evidence

Replaces "thread" with "fragment", denoting a small, broken piece of evidence.

a shred of evidence

Uses "shred" instead of "thread", suggesting a very small or insignificant amount of evidence.

a scrap of evidence

Substitutes "thread" with "scrap", implying a discarded or leftover piece of evidence.

a particle of evidence

Replaces "thread" with "particle", emphasizing an extremely small piece of evidence.

an iota of evidence

Uses "iota" instead of "thread", suggesting a tiny or negligible amount of evidence.

a suggestion of evidence

Substitutes "thread" with "suggestion", implying an indirect or unconfirmed piece of evidence.

a suspicion of evidence

Replaces "thread" with "suspicion", denoting a belief or assumption based on limited evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "a thread of evidence" in a sentence?

You can use "a thread of evidence" to describe a small, often overlooked piece of information that supports a larger claim. For example, "The detective found "a thread of evidence" linking the suspect to the crime scene".

What is a suitable alternative to "a thread of evidence"?

Alternatives include "a trace of evidence", "a hint of evidence", or "a glimmer of evidence", each emphasizing the subtlety of the evidence.

Is it appropriate to use "a thread of evidence" in formal writing?

Yes, "a thread of evidence" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to emphasize the tentative or suggestive nature of the supporting information. Consider the strength of the evidence and your audience when choosing this phrase.

What does "a thread of evidence" imply about the strength of the overall argument?

"A thread of evidence" suggests that the argument is built upon subtle or partial clues, rather than overwhelming proof. It implies that further investigation or corroboration may be needed to strengthen the conclusion.