almost no evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost no evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is very little evidence available to support a claim or argument. Example: "Despite extensive research, there was almost no evidence to suggest that the new treatment was effective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But there's almost no evidence that this was the case.

The New Yorker

Both studies found almost no evidence that taxpayers would be better off by paying judges more.

The New York Times

For the entire day, we saw almost no evidence of human life.

The New York Times - Travel

Pushkin offers us almost no evidence on which to base our answer.

The Guardian - Books

"There is almost no evidence that links capital to bank failures," he writes.

The Economist

But there is almost no evidence that any of these elections were systematically bought or rigged in anyway.

The Economist

It contained almost no evidence to support any of the author's statements and appeared to be simply a character assassination of the founder of Kids Company, Camila Batmanghelidjh.

The Guardian

In a review of scientific data, the Food and Drug Administration has found almost no evidence that tomatoes or the antioxidant lycopene have any effect in cancer prevention.

The New York Times

In the debate over voter-ID requirements, no one disputes that there is almost no evidence — emphasis on evidence — of in-person voter fraud in this country.

The New York Times

In a large review of studies, researchers have found almost no evidence that taking vitamin D supplements has any effect in preventing osteoporosis in middle-aged adults.

The New York Times

(The latest news there is that the World Health Organization this week found almost no evidence pointing to raised health risks among people exposed to radiation).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost no evidence", consider quantifying the lack of evidence. If possible, specify what kind of evidence is missing or the extent to which it's lacking to strengthen your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "almost no evidence" when there is some evidence, however weak. Instead, accurately characterize the existing evidence as "weak", "inconclusive", or "circumstantial" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost no evidence" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a significant lack of supporting information for a particular claim or statement. Ludwig showcases its use across diverse topics, underlining its function in negating the presence of sufficient proof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost no evidence" is a common phrase used to express a significant lack of supporting information. Grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase effectively conveys skepticism or doubt about a claim. While alternatives like "scant evidence" or "minimal evidence" exist, "almost no evidence" is widely accepted and understood. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the state of the evidence and avoid overstating the absence when some evidence, however weak, exists. "Almost no evidence" is a frequently used phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually no evidence

Similar to "almost no evidence", but suggests an even stronger absence.

practically no evidence

Indicates the evidence is so close to zero as to make no practical difference.

little to no evidence

Expresses a lack of evidence in a slightly more emphatic way.

hardly any evidence

Uses "hardly" to convey that the existence of evidence is surprising or unexpected.

scant evidence

Emphasizes the small amount of evidence available.

minimal evidence

Highlights the limited quantity of evidence.

negligible evidence

Implies the evidence is so small it's practically insignificant.

a dearth of evidence

Uses "dearth" to emphasize a scarcity or lack of evidence.

a paucity of evidence

Employs "paucity" to highlight the insufficient amount of evidence.

a lack of substantiation

Focuses on the absence of supporting facts or details.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "almost no evidence" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "scant evidence", "minimal evidence", or "a paucity of evidence" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "almost no evidence" and "virtually no evidence"?

While similar, "virtually no evidence" implies an even stronger absence of evidence than "almost no evidence". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "almost no evidence"?

Use "almost no evidence" when you want to convey that there is a lack of substantial proof or supporting information for a claim, theory, or argument.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "almost no evidence"?

Avoid using this phrase if there's a reasonable amount of evidence, even if it's not conclusive. Instead, consider describing the evidence as "limited" or "inconclusive".