back up this claim

USAGE SUMMARY

"back up this claim" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to support or reinforce an idea you have expressed. For example, "I have conducted extensive research to prove my theory; I have the data to back up this claim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The organization has some evidence to back up this claim.

The New Yorker

There was no plan to back up this claim.

The Guardian

Price didn't provide any numbers to back up this claim.

The New Yorker

To back up this claim, he cited Holly Sutherland, a Cambridge economist and Labour adviser.

The Economist

There's no data to back up this claim; nothing in this quarterly report supports it.

The Economist

Once again, is there any evidence to back up this claim?

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The health-care law is obviously a work in progress but are there data that back up this sweeping claim?

The Washington Post

This is not a broad generalization -- this is fact with consistent evidence to back-up this claim.

Huffington Post

But — there has been some evidence that backs up this latest claim (which is probably why they made it in the first place).

TechCrunch

Research published this month in the International Journal of Advertising backs up this claim.

MIT Technology Review

The online retailer backs up this claim with a link to a report that I co-authored in 2009 suggesting that, under certain circumstances, this is probably true.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "back up this claim", ensure that the evidence you provide is directly relevant and strong enough to support the assertion. Avoid using anecdotal evidence or weak correlations as primary support.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "back up this claim" even when the evidence is preliminary or inconclusive. Be honest about the limitations of your supporting data and avoid presenting tentative findings as definitive proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back up this claim" functions as a call for justification or substantiation. It prompts the speaker or writer to provide evidence or support for an assertion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable and common in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "back up this claim" is a common and grammatically correct way to request evidence for an assertion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it serves to challenge statements and seek justification. Alternatives include "substantiate this assertion" or "support this argument", offering slight variations in formality and emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure that the evidence you provide is relevant and strong, and avoid overstating the strength of your support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantiate this assertion

Replaces "back up" with the more formal word "substantiate" and "claim" with "assertion".

support this argument

Uses "support" instead of "back up" and "argument" instead of "claim", slightly shifting the context to a debate or reasoned case.

validate this statement

Replaces "back up" with "validate" and "claim" with "statement", suggesting a need for formal confirmation.

corroborate this point

Uses "corroborate" to emphasize independent verification of the "point".

provide evidence for this contention

Replaces "back up" with "provide evidence for" and "claim" with "contention", making the phrase more formal and explicit.

offer proof for this allegation

Replaces "back up" with "offer proof for" and "claim" with "allegation", implying that the statement is potentially dubious and needs strong evidence.

demonstrate this proposition

Uses "demonstrate" instead of "back up" and "proposition" instead of "claim", fitting a context where a principle or idea needs to be shown to be true.

justify this assertion

Replaces "back up" with "justify", implying a need to defend the claim against potential criticism.

verify this hypothesis

Uses "verify" instead of "back up" and "hypothesis" instead of "claim", often used in scientific context.

substantiate this theory

Replaces "back up" with "substantiate", implying a need to verify the claim.

FAQs

What does "back up this claim" mean?

The phrase "back up this claim" means to provide evidence or support to prove that a statement or assertion is true or valid. It implies that the claim needs justification and that there is information available to substantiate it.

How can I use "back up this claim" in a sentence?

You can use "back up this claim" in a sentence to challenge someone to provide evidence for their statement, such as, "The politician made a bold statement, but can he "back up this claim" with factual data?"

What are some alternatives to "back up this claim"?

Some alternatives to "back up this claim" include "substantiate this assertion", "support this argument", or "validate this statement", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "support this claim" or "back up this claim"?

Both "support this claim" and "back up this claim" are acceptable. "Support" is slightly more formal, while "back up" is more conversational. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.