constitute evidence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute evidence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that serves as proof or indication of a particular fact or situation. Example: "The fingerprints found at the crime scene constitute evidence of the suspect's presence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

J. Simpson trial, the absence of evidence does not constitute evidence of absence.

The New York Times - Books

Unilateral statements also may constitute evidence of a state's views on a particular issue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the past, when civilian complaints have declined, critics said the downturn did not constitute evidence of police restraint but of public mistrust in the complaint process.

The New York Times

The party's annual conference in Brighton overwhelmingly passed an emergency motion, which said Downing Street's 50-page dossier did "not constitute evidence of an immediate threat".

The Guardian

This may constitute evidence of the primitive nature of the genus, because seed ferns also generally had stems with considerably more wood than those of most living cycads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Second, the real Iranian threat is not their known enrichment capacity: their apparent efforts to hide information and bury facilities underground constitute evidence of a growing threat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The affidavit said it constituted evidence of "minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct".

The Guardian

Prosecutors, pursuing a bias charge, have claimed that "afraid," in this context, constitutes evidence of fear.

The New Yorker

Such opposition constitutes evidence of its potential success -- evidence that far outweighs negative views about the program.

The New York Times

None of that constituted evidence of wrongdoing at the White House, but Republicans suggested on Sunday that such evidence would emerge in due time.

The New York Times

See articlePakistan's prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, denied that a dossier handed over by India on last November's attacks in Mumbai constituted "evidence" of Pakistan's involvement.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitute evidence of", ensure that the connection between the evidence and the claim is clear and logical. This strengthens the argument and enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something "constitutes evidence of" a phenomenon, it directly causes that phenomenon. Correlation does not equal causation, so further investigation is necessary to establish a causal link.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute evidence of" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun and a preposition, indicating that something serves as proof or indication of a particular fact. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "constitute evidence of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something serves as proof or indication of a particular fact or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, particularly in Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias. While widely used, it's crucial to ensure a clear and logical connection between the evidence and the claim, avoiding the common error of assuming causation from correlation. Alternatives like "serve as proof of" or "represent evidence of" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended. This phrase is a staple in formal and scientific writing, where precision and objectivity are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve as proof of

Emphasizes the role of providing definitive proof.

represent evidence of

Focuses on the act of symbolizing or showing evidence.

amount to proof of

Highlights the cumulative effect reaching a level of proof.

establish as proof of

Stresses the act of formally setting something as evidence.

confirm as evidence of

Underlines the validating aspect of the evidence.

substantiate as proof of

Focuses on providing strong support to validate as evidence.

demonstrate as evidence of

Highlights the act of clearly showing something as evidence.

validate as proof of

Emphasizes the verification aspect of the evidence.

indicate as evidence of

Focuses on pointing out or suggesting something as evidence.

attest as evidence of

Stresses the act of formally declaring something as evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "constitute evidence of" in a sentence?

Use "constitute evidence of" to indicate that certain facts or findings serve as proof or indication of something else. For instance, "The test results "constitute evidence of" the presence of the virus".

What are some alternatives to "constitute evidence of"?

Alternatives include "serve as proof of", "represent evidence of", or "amount to proof of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "constitutes evidence of" instead of "constitute evidence of"?

Yes, the correct form depends on the subject. Use "constitute" with plural subjects and "constitutes" with singular subjects. For example, "These findings constitute evidence of fraud" versus "This finding constitutes evidence of fraud".

What kind of sources commonly use the phrase "constitute evidence of"?

The phrase "constitute evidence of" is frequently used in formal writing, including legal documents, academic papers, news articles, and encyclopedic entries. It's common in contexts where factual accuracy and precision are important.