empirically speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empirically speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing observations or conclusions based on empirical evidence or data. Example: "Empirically speaking, the results of the study support the hypothesis that increased exercise leads to improved mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

And empirically speaking, people tend to treat Google like an authority.

The Guardian - Tech

LOS ANGELES -- Empirically speaking, geologists are not a particularly irascible group.

The New York Times

Empirically speaking, there is no such collective human agent, only different human beings with conflicting goals and values.

The Guardian

Empirically speaking, does the experience of compassion toward one person measurably affect our actions and attitudes toward other people?

The New York Times

Empirically speaking, they have not done so during slumps in which interest rates fall to near zero.

The Economist

But the late-summer pleasures of this city are, empirically speaking, vast and undercelebrated, a bit like being in a newfangled city, with the restaurants peppered with locals.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Of public education, she said, "I have some sympathy for the view that says, 'Why can't we have one system that works for everyone?' But, speaking empirically, our system is broken".

The New Yorker

We agree it makes empirically sense to speak of a shift in ELSI strategies, but there is no need to build a new research agenda since this shift has taken place in what we describe as a transition from ELSA 1 to ELSA 2, to use the acronyms from the EU and Norwegian contexts.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Thus, as Bernstein et al. ([2010], p. 374) concluded, the facility scoring implements an empirically derived quantitative model of listening and speaking performance at different levels of L2 proficiency, and the psychometric data suggest that facility is an important component of effective speech communication or oral proficiency.

Language Testing in Asia

Until these quality assessment measures can be found for empirical ethics, it is likewise problematic to speak of "empirically supported ethical decisions" if there is no differentiation between various levels of quality of empirical information and hence no transparent discussion of the internal and external quality of the empirical information.

BMC Medical Ethics

I actually think the argument is interesting, philosophically speaking, but it has two problems: it is entirely empirically untestable i.e., it's not science and is based on what I think is a fundamental flaw.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, consider replacing "empirically speaking" with simpler alternatives like "based on evidence" or "in practice" to improve understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "empirically speaking" to introduce opinions or speculations. This phrase should only be used when you have concrete evidence to back up your statement. Otherwise, use phrases like "in my opinion" or "it seems that".

Linguistic Context

"Empirically speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to indicate that the statement is based on empirical evidence or observation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, primarily to introduce data-driven conclusions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the analysis indicates that "empirically speaking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to introduce statements grounded in empirical evidence, lending credibility to claims across various fields. Predominantly found in formal and scientific contexts, it is used to emphasize that a conclusion is derived from real-world observations and data analysis. While effective in these settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for general audiences. Therefore, reserve "empirically speaking" for scenarios where you want to strongly highlight the evidentiary basis of your assertions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on empirical evidence

Emphasizes the foundation of evidence rather than the act of speaking.

from an empirical standpoint

Highlights a specific perspective or viewpoint related to empirical data.

in practical terms

Shifts focus to real-world applicability rather than formal evidence.

evidence-based

A more concise term, often used as an adjective, directly indicating reliance on evidence.

judging by the evidence

Implies a judgment or conclusion based on available evidence.

according to observation

Highlights direct observation as the source of information.

from a data perspective

Highlights data as primary source of information

experimentally

Suggests reliance on experimental results

factually speaking

Emphasizes facts rather than empirical methods.

in reality

Focuses on what is actually true or the state of things.

FAQs

How can I use "empirically speaking" in a sentence?

"Empirically speaking" is used to introduce a statement or conclusion that is based on observation or experience. For example, "Empirically speaking, the new treatment shows promising results".

What are some alternatives to "empirically speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "based on empirical evidence", "from an empirical standpoint", or "in practical terms" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "empirically speaking" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "empirically speaking" is more suited for formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "based on what I've seen" or "in practice".

What's the difference between "empirically speaking" and "theoretically speaking"?

"Empirically speaking" refers to conclusions drawn from observation and evidence, whereas "theoretically speaking" refers to conclusions based on theory or abstract reasoning.