corroborate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "corroborate" is a perfectly acceptable word to use in written English.
It means to strengthen or confirm with additional evidence. For example: The witness' testimony was bolstered by the physical evidence, thus corroborating her claims.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a statement, Delta said the flight crew returned to LAX "after a potential systems issue was observed", seeming to corroborate reports that the pilots had grown concerned by a potential mechanical issue.

The Guardian

Videos Perez acquired through his legal proceedings, excerpts of which the Guardian is publishing, show him inside the warehouse complex and corroborate the dates and times of his detention there.

The Guardian

"[T]he agents we interviewed did not identify any major case developments that resulted from use of the records obtained in response to Section 215 orders, but told us that the material produced pursuant to Section 215 orders was valuable in that it was used to support other investigative requests, develop investigative leads, and corroborate other information," the DoJ report found.

The Guardian

These early results corroborate fears from rival parties that Conservatives would be the major beneficiaries of boundary reform.

The Guardian

Even worse, the SEAL parents' presser was described as "an effort … to corroborate the notion that the US government is 'as much responsible for the deaths of their sons as is the Taliban.'" If you're having trouble making the connection between administration malfeasance and the post-tragedy prayers of a civilian imam, well, SECRET MUSLIM MUCH?

The Guardian - Opinion

It should anger and worry all nationalists when Sinn Fein's propaganda only goes to corroborate that misrepresentation of the good motives of the north's nationalists.' On crime and the IRA, Durkan added: 'Democratic Ireland can tell you what a crime is.

The Guardian

Since neither the media nor aid organisations were allowed into the area, such figures have been hard to corroborate through independent sources, but reports from the closed-off zone have described hospitals full of injured people.Some fear a deeper religious crack in a country where tribal politics run like lacework through society.

The Economist

Prosecutors could not corroborate allegations made last year by protected witnesses that he had worked with the Beltrán Leyva "cartel .Lords of the ringsNew Zealand has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to legalise same-sex marriage.

The Economist

Whatever did corroborate it, they embraced, with little regard to the credibility of the source.

The Economist

When the muezzin refused to corroborate this, he was exiled to another mosque, prompting an outcry among anti-capitalist Muslims who decry what they see as AK's lurch towards luxury and greed.

The Economist

Privately other voices in the capital now corroborate the claim.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "corroborate" when you want to emphasize the strengthening of an argument or evidence through additional supporting facts or details.

Common error

Avoid using "corroborate" when you actually mean "collaborate". "Corroborate" means to confirm or support, while "collaborate" means to work together. For example, don't say "The scientists corroborated on the study"; instead, say "The scientists collaborated on the study".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "corroborate" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It signifies the action of providing support or confirmation for a statement, theory, or finding. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to strengthen claims with evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "corroborate" is a versatile verb used to confirm or support information with additional evidence. As Ludwig AI states, it's a perfectly acceptable term for written English, indicating the act of strengthening a claim. It appears most frequently in news, encyclopedia and science-related contexts, reflecting its role in validating facts and findings. While often interchangeable with similar words like "confirm" and "verify", "corroborate" specifically implies adding further support to an existing point. When writing, remember to use "corroborate" to add weight to your arguments by presenting supporting details or facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Confirm

Indicates establishing the truth or correctness of something previously uncertain.

Verify

Implies checking or proving the accuracy of something.

Substantiate

Suggests providing evidence to support the truth of a claim or statement.

Validate

Focuses on confirming the legitimacy or soundness of something.

Authenticate

Emphasizes proving that something is genuine or real.

Bear out

Indicates that something supports or confirms the truth of something else.

Attest to

Suggests providing testimony or evidence to support the truth of something.

Prove

Implies demonstrating the truth of something definitively.

Support

Indicates providing assistance or backing for a claim or statement.

Affirm

Implies stating something is true with confidence.

FAQs

How do you use "corroborate" in a sentence?

You can use "corroborate" to show that evidence or information supports a claim. For example: "The witness's statement helped to corroborate the victim's account".

What can I say instead of "corroborate"?

You can use alternatives like "confirm", "verify", or "substantiate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "corroborate" or "collaborate"?

"Corroborate" means to confirm or support with evidence, while "collaborate" means to work jointly with others. Use "corroborate" when referring to evidence and "collaborate" when referring to working together.

What's the difference between "corroborate" and "confirm"?

"Confirm" generally means to state or prove the truth of something, while "corroborate" implies strengthening or supporting a statement or theory with additional evidence. The phrase "corroborate" often suggests a need for further proof, while confirm can simply mean to acknowledge something.