back up this theory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back up this theory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to request or indicate the need for evidence or support for a particular theory or idea. Example: "In order to strengthen our argument, we need to back up this theory with relevant data and research findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Yet until recently, researchers didn't have much to back up this theory.

Science Magazine

To back up this theory, cable company MediaOne umx is now going with a Philips phg box, Cablevision cvc is going with a Sony sne product, and Motorola is buying GI.

Forbes

Unfortunately, Mamie doesn't really back up this theory with any additional evidence.

Vice

However, there is currently little experimental evidence to back up this theory, which is known as the Brownian ratchet model.

eLife

So far, though, the polls don't back up this theory.

The New Yorker

The women of Someshpur — widows or women deserted by their husbands — certainly back up this theory: As they crouched on mats on the ground in front of me when I visited last month, one after another said their priority was to feed and educate their children.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As a consequence of this, the valuation of assets such as bonds and equities should come under pressure.Evidence partly backs up this theory.

The Economist

Twitter user @nuibi backs up this theory.

TechCrunch

Now research in yeast has backed up this theory.

Science Magazine

I asked Teeling whether these genes could be good targets for future anti-aging drugs, if more research eventually backs up this theory.

Vice

Lessing does not appeal to any philosophical theory to back up this insistence.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "back up this theory", ensure the evidence you provide is directly relevant and strengthens the claims made by the theory. Avoid using irrelevant or weak evidence that does not genuinely support the theory.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on personal anecdotes or isolated incidents to "back up this theory". Ensure you include empirical data and rigorous research to lend credibility to your claims.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "back up this theory" is as a verb phrase, indicating the action of providing support or evidence for a particular theory. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in scientific, news, and general contexts, affirming its wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Science & Research

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back up this theory" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies the need to provide evidence or support for a particular theory. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase appears in a variety of contexts, including news media, science, and research. Alternatives like ""support this theory"" or ""validate this theory"" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure your evidence is relevant and strong. Avoid relying solely on anecdotal evidence; use empirical data and research to strengthen your claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support this theory

Replaces "back up" with the more direct verb "support", indicating a more active endorsement.

validate this theory

Uses "validate" to emphasize the need for confirmation and proof of the theory's correctness.

substantiate this theory

Emphasizes the need for concrete evidence to confirm the theory.

provide evidence for this theory

Focuses on the action of giving evidence to bolster the theory.

offer proof for this theory

Highlights the necessity of offering concrete evidence that demonstrates the truth of the theory.

corroborate this theory

Stresses the need for independent sources to confirm the theory.

bolster this theory

Implies strengthening the theory with additional support.

confirm this theory

Focuses on verifying the truth or validity of the theory.

justify this theory

Suggests providing reasons and evidence to show why the theory is correct or reasonable.

document this theory

Suggests gathering written or other forms of evidence to support the theory.

FAQs

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

You can use "back up this theory" when you want to express the need for evidence or support for a particular theory. For instance, "In order to strengthen our argument, we need to "back up this theory" with relevant data and research findings."

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

Alternatives include "support this theory", "validate this theory", or "substantiate this theory". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both ""back up this theory"" and ""support this theory"" are correct and widely used. "Support" is a more direct and general term, while "back up" implies providing additional evidence to reinforce an existing idea.

What kind of evidence is needed to "back up this theory" effectively?

The type of evidence needed depends on the theory itself. Generally, empirical data, research findings, expert opinions, and logical reasoning can effectively "back up this theory".