copious evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"copious evidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used to refer to a large amount of evidence that has been gathered, particularly in a legal context. For example, "The investigators had collected copious evidence to support their case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

There is copious evidence to support that view.

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, copious evidence has been gathered and analysed that reinforces it.

The Guardian - Opinion

MPs presented him with copious evidence which, they said, plainly suggested otherwise.

The Guardian - Tech

There is copious evidence demonstrating that inequality produces crime and violence.

The Guardian

But there's copious evidence on YouTube of his fine singing voice and obvious relish for performing.

The Guardian - Film

Round-the-world travelers, Chaplin writes, "generated copious evidence of humanity's longing for the Earth".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Within a few hours he admitted to stabbing the victim (copious DNA evidence from blood at the scene would have made it hard to deny).

The New York Times - Magazine

What a pity that Julius did not let the copious historical evidence of genuine anti-Semitism, which is completely overwhelming, speak for itself.

Independent

After insisting Atkins was a quack for three decades, obesity experts are now finding it difficult to ignore the copious anecdotal evidence that his diet does just what he has claimed.

The New York Times - Magazine

It must then, like all the states that have now made their claims, submit copious scientific evidence to show that the seabed in question is indeed continental shelf.If it passes all the tests, it can exploit the minerals on or under the seabed in this margin, so long as any revenue is shared with poorer and landlocked states.

The Economist

Leukaemias are expected to develop within 5 years, while an induced excess of solid tumours is observed after 10 or more years (Boice et al, 1996), and there is copious epidemiological evidence to support this (Neugut et al, 1993; Rubino et al, 2003; Zablotska and Neugut, 2003).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "copious evidence" when you want to emphasize the large amount of evidence available to support a claim. It suggests that the evidence is not just sufficient, but abundant and persuasive.

Common error

Avoid using "copious evidence" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in such settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a lot of evidence" or "plenty of proof".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "copious evidence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "copious" modifies the noun "evidence". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and frequently used. It generally highlights the abundance of evidence available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "copious evidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that acts as a noun phrase, where the adjective modifies the noun. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and appropriate for formal contexts. Its primary function is to emphasize the abundance and strength of the evidence supporting a claim, making it persuasive in arguments across news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual contexts where simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundant evidence

Replaces "copious" with "abundant", suggesting a plentiful amount of evidence.

ample evidence

Substitutes "copious" with "ample", indicating sufficient evidence.

an abundance of evidence

Similar to "abundant evidence" but with a slightly different phrasing.

profuse evidence

Replaces "copious" with "profuse", suggesting an outpouring of evidence.

extensive evidence

Replaces "copious" with "extensive", highlighting the comprehensive nature of the evidence.

substantial evidence

Substitutes "copious" with "substantial", emphasizing the significance of the evidence.

plentiful evidence

Replaces "copious" with "plentiful", suggesting a rich supply of evidence.

a wealth of evidence

Uses "a wealth of" instead of "copious", indicating a large and valuable amount of evidence.

a great deal of evidence

Replaces "copious" with "a great deal of", conveying a large quantity of evidence.

a mountain of evidence

Uses a metaphorical expression to emphasize the large quantity of evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "copious evidence" to emphasize the substantial amount of proof supporting a particular claim. For example, "The prosecution presented "copious evidence" demonstrating the defendant's guilt".

What are some alternatives to saying "copious evidence"?

Alternatives to "copious evidence" include phrases like "abundant evidence", "ample evidence", or "substantial evidence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "copious evidence" a formal phrase?

Yes, "copious evidence" is generally considered a formal phrase. It's more appropriate for academic, legal, or professional contexts than for casual conversation.

What is the difference between "copious evidence" and "ample evidence"?

While both phrases suggest a significant amount of proof, "copious evidence" emphasizes abundance, whereas "ample evidence" suggests sufficiency. "Copious" implies more than enough, while "ample" implies just enough to meet the need.