barring evidence to the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barring evidence to the contrary" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize that a certain outcome is likely to occur as long as there is no evidence that suggests otherwise. For example, "We anticipate the project to be completed on time barring evidence to the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Does anyone have evidence to the contrary?

The New York Times

Prosecutors offered evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times

There is no evidence to the contrary.

The Economist

Now MPs want evidence to the contrary.

The Economist

He volunteers little evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian - Sport

Each ignores evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times - Books

There is evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian

There is circumstantial evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times - Sports

Could we find evidence to the contrary?

The Guardian - Books

Dorril provides evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian - Books

Yet evidence to the contrary is accumulating.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barring evidence to the contrary" to introduce an assumption or expectation that is likely to be true unless there is proof to show otherwise. This helps set a clear baseline understanding.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "barring evidence to the contrary" sounds quite formal. In casual conversation or informal writing, consider using alternatives like "unless we find otherwise" or "if nothing changes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barring evidence to the contrary" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a condition or exception to a statement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barring evidence to the contrary" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a condition or exception to a statement, indicating that the statement holds true unless there is evidence to the contrary. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While its formal tone makes it suitable for professional and academic contexts, more informal alternatives might be preferred in casual conversation. This phrase serves to set a baseline expectation while acknowledging the potential for change based on new information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unless there is evidence to the contrary

Replaces "barring" with "unless there is", making the condition more explicit.

absent any evidence to the contrary

Uses "absent" instead of "barring", providing a more formal tone.

in the absence of evidence to the contrary

Emphasizes the lack of opposing evidence using a prepositional phrase.

without evidence to the contrary

Simplifies the phrasing by directly stating the absence of contradictory evidence.

if there is no evidence to the contrary

States the condition in a more direct, conditional manner.

unless proven otherwise

A more concise and legally oriented alternative.

subject to evidence to the contrary

Highlights that the current assumption is conditional and can be revised.

except if there is evidence to the contrary

Introduces an explicit exception clause.

save for evidence to the contrary

Uses a more archaic "save for" to indicate exception.

notwithstanding any evidence to the contrary

Emphasizes that the statement holds even potentially conflicting evidence.

FAQs

What does "barring evidence to the contrary" mean?

It means that something is assumed to be true or will happen unless there is evidence that proves the opposite. It sets a condition where the initial assumption holds unless proven wrong.

How can I use "barring evidence to the contrary" in a sentence?

You can use it to express a provisional statement. For example, "The project will be completed by next week, barring evidence to the contrary."

What are some alternatives to "barring evidence to the contrary"?

Alternatives include "unless there is evidence to the contrary", "absent any evidence to the contrary", or "unless proven otherwise".

When is it appropriate to use "barring evidence to the contrary"?

It is appropriate in formal writing or when making official statements where you want to acknowledge the possibility of new information changing the situation. In informal contexts, other options may be more suitable.