evidence is thin

USAGE SUMMARY

"evidence is thin" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use this phrase when discussing a topic in which there is not much data or information to prove a point. For example, "The evidence is thin to support the idea that the policy will have any long-term positive effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The evidence is thin.

The Economist

The hard evidence is thin.

The Guardian - Opinion

In places, the D.O.J's evidence is thin.

The New Yorker

So far, Sessions's evidence is thin.

The Washington Post

One researcher has proposed a game called "longball" as this progenitor, but concrete evidence is thin.

The New York Times - Books

Some think the scientists have made a compelling case, while others say the evidence is thin.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

There is also the need for further research to understand what factors influence death at home for people dying from non-malignant conditions, where the evidence is thinner and the chances of dying at home are generally lower than for cancer patients [ 14, 76].

BMC Palliative Care

The evidence was thin.

The Economist

But evidence was thin: in truth, we hardly knew her.

The Guardian - Opinion

The evidence was thin, but Frank was convicted and sentenced to death.

The Washington Post

The evidence was thin, but, then, the judicial standards weren't very rigorous.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "evidence is thin", ensure you specify what the evidence is thin for. Providing context clarifies the weakness of the evidence and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting a conclusion as definitive when the "evidence is thin". Acknowledge the limited support and use tentative language (e.g., "suggests", "may indicate") to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evidence is thin" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the quality or quantity of evidence available, indicating that the support for a particular claim or argument is weak or limited. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts to express skepticism or uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evidence is thin" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey that proof or support for a claim is weak or limited. According to Ludwig AI, it's most commonly used in "news and media", "scientific", and academic contexts to express doubt or caution. While not extremely frequent, it's a valuable phrase to temper assertions and invite further scrutiny. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context to clarify what the evidence is thin for, and avoid overstating claims despite the limited support. Alternatives like "evidence is lacking" or "data is limited" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence is unsubstantial

Replaces "thin" with a synonym that emphasizes the lack of substance.

evidence is lacking

Focuses on the absence of evidence rather than its weakness.

evidence is scarce

Highlights the limited availability of evidence.

proof is flimsy

Substitutes "evidence" with "proof" and "thin" with "flimsy" to denote weakness.

proof is weak

Emphasizes the feebleness of the proof available.

data is limited

Shifts the focus to the limited quantity of data available.

support is tenuous

Indicates that the backing for a claim is shaky or uncertain.

justification is inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency of the reasons or evidence provided.

basis is fragile

Suggests the foundation or underlying support is easily undermined.

grounds are shaky

Indicates the reasons or evidence are unreliable or uncertain.

FAQs

How can I use "evidence is thin" in a sentence?

You can use "evidence is thin" to express that there isn't much proof or support for a claim. For example: "The "evidence is thin" to support the hypothesis that this new drug is effective."

What can I say instead of "evidence is thin"?

You can use alternatives like "evidence is lacking", "proof is weak", or "data is limited" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "evidence is thin" or "evidence are thin"?

"Evidence" is generally treated as an uncountable noun, so the correct phrase is ""evidence is thin"". "Evidence are thin" is grammatically incorrect.

Is "evidence was thin" the same as "evidence is thin"?

"Evidence was thin" refers to a past situation where evidence was lacking, while ""evidence is thin"" refers to the current state. The choice depends on the timeline of the situation you are describing.