give credibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give credibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe something that adds to the trustworthiness or reliability of a person, organization, or statement. For example, "His years of experience in the field give him credibility as an expert in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both these tasks were essential, he argued, to give credibility to Quebec's claims of statehood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It will give credibility to these projects to get private capital".

The New York Times - Science

However, a demographic analysis of the states tends to give credibility to Public Policy Polling's results.

The New York Times

Government economists present lots of graphs to give credibility to the Help to Buy programme.

The Guardian - Money

"Then they are using their citizenship to give credibility to illegality".

The New York Times

"It does nothing but give credibility for the way we've done things," Warner said.

The New York Times - Sports

And how would pursuing such discredited neoliberal policies give "credibility" to Washington?

The New York Times

However, the administration official said Ms. Outalha offered almost no details to give credibility to her warnings.

The New York Times

This would give credibility to the self-regulators, who would be wholly independent of any government or government department.

The Guardian - Opinion

The distinction of the scholars and the diversity of their personal politics suffice to give credibility to their aim.

The New York Times

"It's about co-opting foreign voices to give credibility to everything that the leadership in China is doing," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to persuade or build trust, use "give credibility" to highlight specific elements that enhance the trustworthiness of your subject. For instance, "Providing detailed data can give credibility to your research findings."

Common error

Avoid using "give credibility" with vague or unsubstantiated claims. For example, instead of saying "This will give credibility to our project", specify which aspects will enhance credibility. A better approach would be, "Including expert testimonials will give credibility to our project by demonstrating external validation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give credibility" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that enhances the believability or trustworthiness of something. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase commonly links a subject's actions or qualities to an increase in perceived reliability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give credibility" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe actions that enhance trustworthiness or believability. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using "give credibility", it's essential to specify what actions or elements contribute to increased trustworthiness to avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims. Alternatives such as "lend credence", "add weight", and "enhance believability" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively use "give credibility" to strengthen your communication and build trust with your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lend credence

Emphasizes the act of providing support or belief to something.

add weight

Focuses on increasing the importance or impact of something, thereby making it more believable.

bolster reliability

Highlights the strengthening of dependability and trustworthiness.

enhance believability

Directly refers to improving how believable something is.

validate claims

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of assertions.

support validity

Emphasizes providing evidence or reasons to back up the correctness of something.

substantiate assertions

Indicates providing proof or evidence to support statements.

authenticate findings

Refers to confirming the genuineness or validity of results.

verify accuracy

Highlights the confirmation of correctness or precision.

corroborate details

Focuses on confirming facts or information with additional evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "give credibility" in a sentence?

You can use "give credibility" to describe actions that enhance the believability or trustworthiness of something. For example, "Presenting verifiable data can "give credibility" to your argument."

What are some alternatives to "give credibility"?

Alternatives to "give credibility" include "lend credence", "add weight", or "enhance believability". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "give credibility to" or "give credence to"?

Both "give credibility to" and "give credence to" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Credibility" emphasizes overall trustworthiness, while "credence" focuses on belief or acceptance. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "giving credibility" and "having credibility"?

"Giving credibility" implies an action that enhances trustworthiness, while "having credibility" describes the state of being believable or trustworthy. One is a process, and the other is a quality.