inadequate evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"inadequate evidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used when there is not enough proof or facts to support a claim or conclusion. For example: "The prosecution failed to provide adequate evidence to prove their case, so the jury had no choice but to acquit the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A conviction based on inadequate evidence would have helped no one, not even Damilola's parents.

The Guardian

At present, though, there is inadequate evidence to suggest they will be ready by then.

The Guardian

"I worry about scaring people away from a healthy food based on inadequate evidence," Mozaffarian told me.

The New York Times

Moreover, the report's authors concluded, federal vaccination recommendations, which have expanded in recent years, are based on inadequate evidence and poorly executed studies.

The New York Times

"Homeowners facing foreclosure cannot afford to have faulty paperwork or inadequate evidence submitted, and today's agreement will help minimize that risk".

The New York Times

Even police and domestic violence shelter letters of support are considered inadequate evidence if they are deemed to rely on the word of the victim rather than direct witnessing of the violence in question.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also identifies "poor attitudes, ineffective training and inadequate evidence gathering" and calls for an urgent overhaul by the police service of its response to domestic abuse – from the frontline up to the leadership.

The Guardian

B1 Providers Object to Audits Oxford Health Plans has angered psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers in the New York metropolitan area with audits that deemed their notes inadequate evidence of sessions.

The New York Times

IARC said it decided on the "possibly" classification because there was "inadequate evidence in humans and limited evidence in experimental animals" of ties between 2,4-D and cancer.

The Guardian

The Lawrence case should serve as a justification of the double jeopardy rule because it is a case that illustrates police failures to investigate thoroughly at the time and the mistake of a premature decision to prosecute on inadequate evidence.

The Guardian

Mr. Nacchio, who has remained free on bond, appealed the conviction, arguing that there was inadequate evidence to convict him, that the jury had received improper instructions and that Judge Nottingham had wrongly disallowed expert testimony critical to his defense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When arguing a point, specifically identify why the existing evidence is "inadequate" rather than simply stating that it is.

Common error

Avoid making definitive statements or conclusions when the available evidence is "inadequate". Acknowledge the limitations and suggest areas for further investigation instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadequate evidence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'inadequate' modifies the noun 'evidence'. It describes the quality or state of the evidence, indicating it is not sufficient to support a claim or argument. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts to denote a lack of sufficient proof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inadequate evidence" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates a lack of sufficient proof or support for a claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used across diverse fields, including news, science, and formal writing. When using this phrase, it's best to be specific about why the evidence is lacking and to avoid making definitive statements based on it. Alternative phrases like "insufficient proof" or "weak evidence" can be used depending on the specific context. Understanding its function, purpose, and register allows for its effective use in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient proof

Replaces "evidence" with "proof", emphasizing the lack of convincing support.

scanty evidence

Uses "scanty" to highlight the limited amount of evidence available.

flimsy evidence

Describes the evidence as weak and unconvincing.

weak evidence

Directly states that the evidence is not strong enough.

lack of sufficient evidence

Rephrases the idea to focus on the absence of sufficient evidence.

paucity of evidence

Emphasizes the scarcity of evidence.

limited evidence

Highlights that the evidence is restricted in scope or amount.

meager evidence

Suggests the evidence is insubstantial and of poor quality.

tenuous evidence

Describes the evidence as fragile and easily challenged.

dubious evidence

Indicates that the evidence is questionable and unreliable.

FAQs

How can I use "inadequate evidence" in a sentence?

You can use "inadequate evidence" to express that there is not enough proof or support for a claim. For example: "The case was dismissed due to "inadequate evidence"."

What are some alternatives to saying "inadequate evidence"?

Alternatives include "insufficient proof", "scanty evidence", or "weak evidence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lack of evidence" or "inadequate evidence"?

Both phrases are correct, but "inadequate evidence" suggests that some evidence exists, but it is not sufficient. "Lack of evidence" implies that there is no evidence at all. Choose the phrase that best fits the situation.

Can "inadequate evidence" lead to a dismissal of a case?

Yes, if the prosecution presents "inadequate evidence", the judge or jury may determine that there is not enough proof to convict the defendant, leading to a dismissal or acquittal.