conflicting evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"conflicting evidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "conflicting evidence" when referring to two or more pieces of information that appear to contradict each other. For example, "The police uncovered conflicting evidence in the investigation that made it difficult to determine the culprit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the trial, witnesses gave conflicting evidence.

Independent

Conflicting evidence from several ecological metrics.

Columbia University

Other conflicting evidence was offered by another key prosecution witness.

The Guardian

Conflicting evidence Bystanders put Stevens into a private car.

The Guardian

There was conflicting evidence in regard to it.

Cornell University

Studies on the impact of gaming violence offer conflicting evidence.

The New York Times

Our results also help reconcile conflicting evidence regarding where budget difficulty levels should be set.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

And there is conflicting evidence on whether things are actually worsening, and how much.

The Guardian

Conflicting evidence Two days earlier, the ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, had received a veiled warning.

The Guardian

Conflicting evidence It took four weeks for the FBI to travel to the Benghazi consulate site.

The Guardian

There was conflicting evidence about whether his pulse was weak or non-existent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "conflicting evidence", ensure you acknowledge all perspectives and fairly represent each side of the argument. Providing context is crucial.

Common error

Avoid drawing premature conclusions when faced with "conflicting evidence". Instead, analyze each piece of evidence thoroughly and consider potential biases or limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conflicting evidence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to evidence that presents contradictory or inconsistent information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conflicting evidence" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe situations where available evidence presents contradictory or inconsistent information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English. It is frequently encountered in news reports, scientific research, and legal contexts. When presenting "conflicting evidence", ensure you acknowledge all perspectives and analyze the evidence thoroughly. Related phrases include "contradictory evidence" and "inconsistent evidence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contradictory evidence

Replaces "conflicting" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the contradictory nature of the evidence.

inconsistent evidence

Uses "inconsistent" to suggest a lack of uniformity or agreement among the evidence.

discrepant evidence

Employs "discrepant" to highlight differences and disagreements within the evidence.

mixed evidence

Suggests that the evidence presents a combination of supporting and opposing viewpoints.

ambiguous evidence

Indicates that the evidence is unclear and open to multiple interpretations.

unsettled evidence

Implies that the evidence is not yet conclusive or fully resolved.

disputed evidence

Highlights that the evidence is contested or challenged by opposing parties.

contested evidence

Similar to "disputed evidence", emphasizes the presence of disagreement and opposition.

evidence in dispute

Reorders the words to shift focus on the disagreement rather than the evidence itself.

varying accounts

Focuses on the differing narratives or testimonies, rather than the physical evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "conflicting evidence" in a sentence?

"Conflicting evidence" is used to describe situations where different pieces of evidence point to different conclusions. For example, "The jury had to weigh the conflicting evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense."

What is the difference between "conflicting evidence" and "contradictory evidence"?

The terms "conflicting evidence" and "contradictory evidence" are largely synonymous. While "conflicting" suggests a broader sense of disagreement, "contradictory" implies a direct opposition between pieces of evidence.

What are some other phrases I can use instead of "conflicting evidence"?

Alternatives to "conflicting evidence" include "inconsistent evidence", "discrepant evidence", or "mixed evidence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is it common to encounter "conflicting evidence"?

"Conflicting evidence" is frequently encountered in legal proceedings, scientific research, and historical analysis, where multiple sources of information may present differing accounts or interpretations.