confirm its existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confirm its existence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the verification or acknowledgment of something's presence or reality. Example: "The scientists conducted several experiments to confirm its existence before publishing their findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

At one time, some scientists hypothesized that there may be a planet (often given the name Vulcan) even closer to the Sun than Mercury; the only way to confirm its existence would have been to observe it in transit or during a total solar eclipse.

Wikipedia

Morrison has given no detail on the boat's whereabouts and refused even to confirm its existence since refugee advocates revealed last Friday it was heading to Australia from Tamil Nadu in southern India.

The Guardian

And yet Comey didn't confirm its existence until March of this year.

The New Yorker

Matthew A. Miller, a Justice Department spokesman, declined to discuss the subpoena to Mr. Risen or to confirm its existence.

The New York Times

Physicists are engaged in the biggest scientific experiment in the history of the world at CERN, the European particle physics laboratory, in an attempt to find the particles associated with this field and thereby confirm its existence.

The Economist

Although telescopes cannot detect the Wimp, there are high hopes that AMS can confirm its existence and describe some of its properties from indirect measures.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

He now credits this diary as the first step on the road that eventually led to Del Posto (he destroyed it years later, but his mom confirmed its existence and that it was "hilarious").

Vice

But perhaps only Dr Mahathir has the absolute confidence to speak of it in public, even if he is denouncing it: that, after all, confirms its existence.

The Economist

This estimate has, however, never been made public and sources citing it have had difficulty confirming its existence.

Conflict and Health

Edwards declined to answer specific questions in public about the grand jury investigation because it is still ongoing, but he confirmed its existence.

Huffington Post

Iran tried to keep construction of the plant secret, but Western intelligence agencies confirmed its existence in 2009; Iran then insisted that it had intended to make the plant publicly known all along.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confirm its existence" when you want to indicate that something's presence or reality has been verified or acknowledged, especially after investigation or doubt.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "confirm its existence" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "prove it's real" or "check it's there" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confirm its existence" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the act of verifying or establishing the reality or presence of something. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confirm its existence" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to verify or validate the presence or reality of something. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources shows its frequent use in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's essential to consider the audience and context when choosing this phrase. For more informal settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The authoritative sources and frequency of use further support its validity and practical application in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verify its existence

Replaces "confirm" with "verify", emphasizing the act of checking or proving something's existence.

validate its existence

Substitutes "confirm" with "validate", suggesting that the existence is being officially recognized or accepted.

substantiate its existence

Uses "substantiate" instead of "confirm", highlighting the provision of evidence to support the claim of existence.

prove its existence

Replaces "confirm" with "prove", indicating a stronger level of certainty and evidence.

establish its existence

Employs "establish" instead of "confirm", suggesting a more definitive and permanent recognition of existence.

corroborate its existence

Uses "corroborate" instead of "confirm", emphasizing the strengthening of the claim of existence with additional evidence.

affirm its existence

Replaces "confirm" with "affirm", indicating a declaration or assertion of existence.

ascertain its existence

Substitutes "confirm" with "ascertain", focusing on the process of finding something out for certain.

determine its existence

Uses "determine" instead of "confirm", highlighting the act of making a firm decision about its existence after investigation.

attest to its existence

Replaces "confirm" with "attest to", suggesting that someone is providing formal testimony or evidence of its existence.

FAQs

How can I use "confirm its existence" in a sentence?

You can use "confirm its existence" to describe the process of verifying something's presence or reality. For example, "Scientists used experiments to "confirm its existence".

What can I say instead of "confirm its existence"?

You can use alternatives like "verify its existence", "validate its existence", or "prove its existence" depending on the context.

Is "confirm its existence" formal or informal?

"Confirm its existence" is generally considered a formal phrase, often used in scientific, news, or business contexts. Simpler alternatives might be better suited for informal settings.

Which is correct, "confirm its existence" or "confirm it exists"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "confirm its existence" is generally used when "existence" is the focal point. "Confirm it exists" may be preferred when focusing on the action of existing.