empirical statement

USAGE SUMMARY

'empirical statement' is correct and usable in written English.
An empirical statement is an observation or conclusion based on practical experience or experiments rather than on theory or abstract reasoning. For example, "We observed an increase in the number of birds when the trees were planted in the park, so it is an empirical statement that trees help to increase bird populations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I do not know the methods even of French philosophy that could justify such a firm, unqualified empirical statement about a disputed reality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Carnap stressed that usually such tests cannot provide strict proof or disproof but only more or less strong "confirmation" for an empirical statement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Assume that any empirical statement, or proposition, can be expressed in a single language.

SEP

It is unlikely that the funding sources determine research results by necessity, so we must understand Winner's claim as an empirical statement about ELSI research.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

By calling two such theories incommensurable, Feyerabend meant that they were conceptually incompatible: The main concepts of one could neither be defined on the basis of the primitive descriptive terms of the other, nor related to them via a correct empirical statement (1962, 74, 90).

SEP

By calling two fundamental theories incommensurable, Feyerabend meant that they were conceptually incompatible: The main concepts of one could neither be defined on the basis of the primitive descriptive terms of the other, nor related to them via a correct empirical statement (Feyerabend 1962, 74, 90).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In contrast with those logical positivists who thought that statements of value merely express attitudes, pro or con, to objects, persons, or situations, but are neither true nor false, Lewis (1946, 396 98) thought that statements of value were as true or false as other empirical statements, and every bit as empirically verifiable or falsifiable, confirmable or disconfirmable.

SEP

He doesn't make a lot of empirical statements.

The New Yorker

Yet it has to make predictions and empirical statements regarding complex reality.

The New Yorker

A priori propositions, Mill claimed, are merely empirical statements of very high generality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And Ludwig Wittgenstein, in his Remarks on the Foundations of Mathematics (1956), can be seen as recommending a noncognitivist approach to logical and mathematical statements, according to which they do not record truths of some special kind but rather express rules which regulate the use of more ordinary or empirical statements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "empirical statement" to clearly signal that a claim is grounded in evidence that can be tested or verified, lending credibility to your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting anecdotal evidence as an "empirical statement". Anecdotes, while based on experience, lack the systematic rigor required for empirical claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empirical statement" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of assertion grounded in observable evidence or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empirical statement" is a grammatically sound term used to describe claims based on observation or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct. It is most commonly encountered in scientific, academic, and journalistic contexts, indicating a formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the statement is genuinely grounded in verifiable evidence, distinguishing it from theoretical or anecdotal claims. Alternatives include "evidence-based claim" or "factual assertion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence-based claim

Focuses on the support provided by evidence, rather than the type of statement.

factual assertion

Emphasizes the claim's alignment with facts.

observable fact

Highlights the direct observation aspect.

testable hypothesis

Stresses the ability to verify the statement through testing.

verifiable claim

Underscores the possibility of verifying the claim's truth.

data-driven conclusion

Highlights the role of data in reaching the conclusion.

experientially grounded assertion

Emphasizes the foundation of the assertion in experience.

observation-based statement

Directly points to the role of observation.

reality-based claim

Highlights the connection to objective reality.

empirically derived conclusion

Focuses on the derivation of the conclusion through empirical methods.

FAQs

How is an "empirical statement" different from a theoretical one?

An "empirical statement" is based on observation or experiment, while a theoretical statement is based on abstract reasoning or models. Empirical statements can be tested through data; theoretical statements provide frameworks for understanding.

What makes a statement truly "empirical"?

A statement is empirical when it can be verified or falsified through observation, experimentation, or other sensory data. It requires evidence that is accessible and replicable.

Can a single observation qualify as an "empirical statement"?

While a single observation can inform an "empirical statement", a robust empirical claim typically requires multiple observations or data points to establish a pattern or trend, reducing the risk of error or bias.

How does the phrase "empirical statement" relate to the scientific method?

The scientific method relies heavily on "empirical statements". Hypotheses are tested through experiments, and the results are analyzed to form empirical conclusions about the natural world. These conclusions are then subject to further scrutiny and testing.