credence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "credence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to belief in or acceptance of something as true, often in contexts involving trust or credibility. Example: "The scientist's findings gained credence after being validated by multiple independent studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, few senior news executives were prepared to go on the record and give credence to the theory.

The Guardian

The story gained credence after Channel 5's ownership changed last September when Viacom bought it for £450m, indicating a buyer for Channel 4 might be forthcoming.

The Guardian

When Hallam's 3G phone was eventually examined by the CCRC and Thames Valley police – which carried out inquiries for the CCRC – it was found to contain pictures that put Hallam in a pub with his father on the evening of the killing and also showed that he had been with Harrington the day after – thereby giving credence to his original alibi.

The Guardian

Gentiloni said reports that Italy had paid $12m €10mm) to free the women were "unfounded rumours" emanating from terrorist organisations which should not be given any credence.

The Guardian

The actor's personal history as a convicted murderer and Baltimore drug dealer (a career that continued well into her time working on the Wire, apparently) lends credence and disquiet to a character described by Stephen King as "the most terrifying female villain ever to appear in a television series".

The Guardian

His record as Nigeria's hard-headed military ruler from 1983 to 1985 lent credence to his promises to crush the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Guardian - Opinion

If I chose to submit, then I would give credence to the government and support their repressive measures".

The Guardian

Income tax was a case in point; although the SNP had fought the 1999 Scottish parliament election on the basis of raising the basic rate of income tax (which the new legislature could vary up or down by 3p), thereafter Salmond had abandoned a higher-tax agenda that might have given credence to his desire to emulate Sweden or Norway.

The Guardian

McCain pointed out that Abedin's father died two decades ago and that the congresswoman failed to provide "one instance of an action, decision or a public position that Huma has taken while at the State Department that would lend credence to the charge that she is promoting anti-American activities within our government".

The Guardian

What gave the article credence in my eyes was its byline.

The Guardian

McCain, who ran against Barack Obama for the White House in 2008, pointed out that Abedin's father died two decades ago, and that Bachmann failed to provide "one instance of an action, decision or a public position that Huma has taken while at the state department that would lend credence to the charge that she is promoting anti-American activities within our government".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "credence" in formal writing when you want to convey a sense of critical evaluation and reasoned acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "credence" when the belief is based solely on emotion or bias, as it implies a degree of rational justification that might be misleading. Use "belief" or "faith" instead to convey a non-rational acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "credence" is as a noun. It denotes the acceptance of something as true or believable, often based on evidence or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is commonly used to indicate belief in or acceptance of something as true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "credence" functions as a noun signifying the acceptance of something as true, generally based on available evidence. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and usable in written English. It is frequently employed across various contexts, predominantly in news and formal business settings. Its frequent use indicates that "credence" is a reliable and understood term for expressing belief or acceptance. Remember to use "credence" when belief is based on evidence to reflect rationality, differentiating it from emotions or biases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belief

Represents a state of mind where one accepts something as true or real; a general term for accepting the truth of something.

trust

Implies confidence in the reliability or truthfulness of someone or something.

faith

Suggests a strong belief in something without needing proof.

acceptance

Indicates a willingness to receive or regard something as true or valid.

confidence

Implies a feeling of self-assurance and trust in one's abilities or qualities.

reliance

Suggests dependence or trust in someone or something.

conviction

Implies a firmly held belief or opinion.

assurance

Indicates a guarantee or certainty about something.

assumption

Suggests taking something for granted without proof.

certitude

Implies a state of being absolutely certain about something.

FAQs

How to use "credence" in a sentence?

You can use "credence" in sentences like "The new evidence lends "credence" to his theory" or "I give little "credence" to rumors."

What can I say instead of "credence"?

You can use alternatives like "belief", "trust", or "faith" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "give credence to" or "give credibility to"?

"Give "credence" to" is generally used to mean to believe or accept something as true. "Give credibility to" means to enhance the believability of something, but it's more common to say "lend "credence" to" rather than "give "credence" to".

What's the difference between "credence" and "credibility"?

"Credence" refers to the acceptance of something as true, while "credibility" refers to the quality of being believable or trustworthy. One gives "credence" to a statement based on the speaker's credibility.