insufficient evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

'insufficient evidence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when there is not enough proof or data to support an argument or conclusion. Example sentence: The police determined there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges against the suspect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Insufficient evidence.

The Guardian

"Insufficient evidence," the committee ruled.

The Guardian

They determined that there was insufficient evidence.

The New York Times

And yet there is "insufficient evidence".

The Guardian

There is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

The Guardian

But Moreira was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

The Guardian

But insufficient evidence led to the case being dropped.

The Guardian

The charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

The Guardian

There is insufficient evidence to rebut these defenses.

The Guardian

The case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.

The Guardian

The department found "insufficient evidence" to support this, it said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient evidence", be specific about what kind of evidence is lacking and why it's necessary for a sound conclusion.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions when you acknowledge "insufficient evidence". Instead, frame your statements as possibilities or hypotheses that require further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient evidence" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It identifies a state where the available proof or data is not adequate to support a claim or accusation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insufficient evidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that serves to indicate a lack of adequate proof or support for a claim. Predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific and Wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, remember to be specific about the lacking evidence and avoid drawing definitive conclusions based on incomplete information. Consider using alternatives like "lack of substantiation" or "limited proof" depending on the nuance you want to convey. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its importance in objective discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of substantiation

Emphasizes the absence of support or proof for a claim.

limited proof

Highlights the scarcity of evidence available.

scarcity of proof

Stresses the rare or infrequent nature of the evidence.

inadequate proof

Focuses on the fact that the evidence is not good enough or of sufficient quality.

meager evidence

Suggests that the evidence is minimal and unimpressive.

dearth of evidence

Highlights a significant absence of evidence.

paucity of evidence

Similar to dearth, emphasizing the lack of evidence.

absence of confirmation

Focuses on the lack of confirming data or support.

unsubstantiated claims

Focuses on the fact that some assertions has no proof or evidence at all.

weak evidence

Highlights how strong is the proof and its quality

FAQs

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

You can use "insufficient evidence" to indicate that there is not enough proof or data to support a claim or conclusion. For example: "The charges were dropped due to "insufficient evidence"."

What are some alternatives to "insufficient evidence"?

Alternatives include "lack of substantiation", "limited proof", or "inadequate proof", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "insufficient evidence" in formal writing?

Yes, "insufficient evidence" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in legal, academic, and professional contexts where objective assessment is crucial.

What's the difference between "insufficient evidence" and "lack of evidence"?

"Insufficient evidence" implies that some evidence exists, but it's not enough to support a conclusion, while "lack of evidence" suggests that there's virtually no evidence available.