firsthand evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "firsthand evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information or proof that is obtained directly from personal experience or observation, rather than through secondhand sources. Example: "The researcher presented firsthand evidence of the phenomenon, having witnessed it during her field study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Finally there was little firsthand evidence of the Ward story.

The New York Times - Books

The firsthand evidence of what was happening horrified me.

University of California, Berkeley

Anyone who reads the final report will see firsthand evidence of our thorough investigation.

The New York Times

I just happen to see firsthand evidence of the fact every day.

The New York Times

"She was the one saying you've got firsthand evidence, you should start writing about this stuff," he said.

The New York Times

He said his interest was piqued by firsthand evidence that a healthy lifestyle does not guarantee long life.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

I've seen, sometimes firsthand, the evidence that came out of the ground.

The New York Times - Science

But he reserved further comment, as did Republican convention officials who had eagerly selected this overwhelmingly Democratic city after seeing firsthand the evidence of its downtown renewal.

The New York Times

As it happens, all agree there's no firsthand historic evidence that Plymouth Rock played any role in the Mayflower passengers' landing.

The Washington Post

Billy Crudup knows what that's like firsthand, as evidenced in the above clip from "20th Century Women". The scene ― exclusive to The Huffington Post and its parent company, AOL ― features Bening as a single mother in 1979 California and Crudup as a handyman renting a room in the boarding house she runs.

HuffPost

In any case, Hanley, unable to examine Biro's evidence firsthand, had reached a dead end.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "firsthand evidence", ensure you clearly establish the source and context from which the evidence was obtained to enhance its credibility.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on "firsthand evidence" without seeking corroborating evidence from other sources. While valuable, personal accounts can be subjective and may benefit from additional support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "firsthand evidence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "firsthand evidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes information or proof obtained directly from personal experience or observation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. It is crucial to ensure that the source and context of the evidence are clearly established to enhance its credibility. While reliable, remember not to over-rely on "firsthand evidence" alone. Instead, corroborate it from other sources to provide a balanced argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct proof

Focuses on the immediacy and lack of intermediaries in the evidence.

eyewitness account

Specifically refers to evidence provided by someone who witnessed an event.

personal testimony

Emphasizes the personal nature of the evidence, often in a formal setting.

original documentation

Highlights the originality and authenticity of the evidence.

primary source material

Used in academic contexts to denote original sources of information.

experiential verification

Stresses that the evidence comes from lived experience.

empirical observation

Highlights the evidence's derivation from direct observation and experimentation.

on-the-spot confirmation

Suggests immediate and direct verification of a fact or event.

hands-on validation

Indicates evidence obtained through direct interaction or involvement.

lived experience confirmation

Highlights the impact of personal experience in confirming something.

FAQs

How to use "firsthand evidence" in a sentence?

You can use "firsthand evidence" to describe information or proof obtained directly from personal experience or observation. For example, "The report included "firsthand accounts" from witnesses at the scene."

What is another way to say "firsthand evidence"?

Alternatives to "firsthand evidence" include "direct proof", "eyewitness account", or "personal testimony", depending on the specific context.

What kind of source provides "firsthand evidence"?

"Firsthand evidence" typically comes from primary sources, such as "original documents", "personal accounts", or "direct observations".

What is the difference between "firsthand evidence" and "hearsay"?

"Firsthand evidence" is based on direct personal experience, while hearsay is "secondhand information" reported by someone who did not witness the event themselves.