bare claim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bare claim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a statement or assertion that lacks supporting evidence or justification. Example: "His argument was based on a bare claim, without any data to back it up."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As was just noted, Griffin worries that the bare claim that the ethical supervenes on the natural would be 'uninteresting'uninteresting

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Few of the conflicts presented even the barest claim of "defense" as justification.

Huffington Post

"The fact is," said Dr. Jerry Coyne, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago and a co-author of the critical review of Dr. Thornhill and Dr. Palmer's book in Nature, "that evolutionary psychology, except for its barest claims, remains highly controversial, and there are ideological agendas on both sides".

The New York Times - Science

A further complication with the Scanlonian formula, is that appealing in the analysis to the bare existential claim that there are reasons to respond to something in one of these "certain ways" faces large difficulties.

SEP

However, the actor added that he would not necessarily want to bare all himself, claiming: "I'd be too shy".

Independent

But five years ago it faced the charge of fiddling while Rome burned: Zimbabwe's hyperinflation reached an estimated 6.5 sextillion per cent, supermarket shelves were bare and cholera claimed thousands of lives.

The Guardian

In the first case to review the government's secret evidence for holding a detainee at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, a federal appeals court found that accusations against a Muslim from western China held for more than six years were based on bare and unverifiable claims.

The New York Times

They argue that there is no evidence of a world of bare particulars, as claimed by the Buddhists.

SEP

Zoe West, the nude model who was arrested in Times Square while an artist painted her bare body is claiming her civil rights were violated and is planning to sue the NYPD over the incident.

Huffington Post

Some of these objections can plausibly be read as points about the unattractive consequences of failing to distinguish the Protagorean claim that bare sense-awareness is incorrigible (as the Unitarian Plato agrees) from the further Protagorean claim that judgements about sense-awareness are incorrigible (which the Unitarian Plato denies).

SEP

He was claiming the bare minimum".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bare claim", ensure you clearly indicate what evidence or justification is lacking. This helps to highlight the weakness of the argument you are critiquing.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of a "bare claim". While it lacks support, it doesn't automatically invalidate an entire argument or invalidate other valid claims. Accurately represent its limited significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bare claim" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of assertion characterized by a lack of supporting evidence. Ludwig confirms the acceptability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bare claim" refers to a statement presented without supporting evidence. Ludwig confirms this phrase's correctness and usability, although it appears relatively infrequently. Its primary function is to critique statements lacking justification, finding applications in academic discourse, news reporting, and general argumentation. When employing this phrase, be mindful of clearly articulating the missing evidence and avoiding overstatement of the claim's impact. Alternatives include "unsupported assertion" and "unsubstantiated claim".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsupported assertion

Replaces "claim" with "assertion" and "bare" with "unsupported", emphasizing the lack of evidence.

unsubstantiated claim

Uses "unsubstantiated" instead of "bare" to highlight the absence of proof.

naked assertion

Uses "naked" as a synonym for "bare", maintaining a similar level of informality.

groundless claim

Indicates that the claim has no basis or foundation.

baseless assertion

Similar to 'groundless claim', emphasizing the lack of a valid foundation.

unverified statement

Shifts focus from a claim to a statement that has not been checked or proven.

unsupported statement

Simply states the statement lacks of support or validation.

mere allegation

Conveys that the claim is just an allegation and nothing more.

empty declaration

Emphasizes the lack of substance or meaning behind the claim.

hollow pronouncement

Highlights the insincerity or lack of depth in the claim.

FAQs

What does "bare claim" mean?

A "bare claim" refers to a statement or assertion presented without supporting evidence, justification, or explanation. It's a claim that stands alone without backing.

What can I say instead of "bare claim"?

You can use alternatives like "unsupported assertion", "unsubstantiated claim", or "naked assertion" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bare claim" in formal writing?

Yes, "bare claim" can be used in formal writing, but ensure the context is appropriate. It's suitable when you need to critique an argument's lack of supporting evidence. Alternatives like "unsubstantiated claim" may be preferable for a more formal tone.

How do you refute a "bare claim"?

To refute a "bare claim", point out the absence of supporting evidence. Ask for clarification and justification. Without supporting evidence, the claim remains unconvincing. You may also present counter-evidence.