legitimate proof

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate proof" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to evidence or documentation that is valid, credible, and recognized as authentic. Example: "The scientist presented legitimate proof of her findings, which convinced the committee of her research's validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, this proved difficult to do without at the same time making some legitimate proof procedures impossible.

Britannica

Going through a licensed professional ensures you will receive your payment at the correct price, and have legitimate proof of sale.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Metaphysical worries have motivated certain people to argue that proofs by contradiction are not legitimate proofs in mathematics.

Stanford University

And legitimate proofs cannot come from liberal and democratic principles (the initial project of multicultural citizenship) alone, but need to be formulated essentially in terms of community cohesion and a new diversity-based common public culture.

Comparative Migration Studies

Nevertheless, those U.S. demands are legitimate, and the proof is that Beijing itself has repeatedly acknowledged the need for a new economic model, based more on private-sector investment and private household demand.

The Washington Post

It was certainly a legitimate and dramatic story — proof that Baghdad was falling under American control.

The New Yorker

This is "tough to do," Leopold said, suggesting that it demands proof of legitimate economic or emotional difficulty that would result.

The Washington Post

The lawmaker, State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, a Bronx Democrat, is planning to introduce a bill on Friday that would make it illegal for any business in the state to buy or sell a used smartphone without proof of legitimate ownership.

The New York Times

That's the future, if there is an acquittal". Fighting legitimate science to provide proof for religious faith is a relatively victimless pastime.

Los Angeles Times

You must have good references, a legitimate source of income, proof that your landlord allows the kind of pet you're applying for, and identification that proves your age and address.

HuffPost

To deal with the problem of children failing to access the CSG because of outstanding documents such as birth certificates and IDs, the Department of Social Development could provide interim grants to applicants who provide proof of legitimate delays in obtaining required documents.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate proof", ensure the evidence presented is not only valid but also legally or officially recognized.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate proof" for evidence that is merely suggestive or circumstantial. Reserve it for cases where the evidence is conclusive and irrefutable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate proof" functions as a noun phrase, where "legitimate" modifies "proof". It emphasizes the validity and acceptability of evidence presented to support a claim. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate proof" is a noun phrase used to describe evidence that is both valid and officially recognized. Although the phrase is grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, it is used relatively infrequently. When constructing sentences, it's useful to consider synonyms such as "valid evidence" or "credible justification", depending on the desired nuance. When using "legitimate proof", ensure that the evidence you present is truly conclusive, and recognized legally or officially. Although it is grammatically correct, it's more prudent to examine the evidence and choose more precise synonyms, since "proof" already implies it to be legitimate, and the alternative choice may better express what the evidence is about.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid evidence

Focuses on the validity of the evidence.

authentic verification

Emphasizes the authenticity of the verification.

credible justification

Highlights the credibility of the justification.

sound substantiation

Indicates the substantiation is well-founded.

genuine attestation

Stresses the genuineness of the attestation.

acceptable confirmation

Focuses on the acceptance of the confirmation.

official documentation

Highlights the official nature of the documentation.

recognized validation

Emphasizes the recognition of the validation.

verifiable certification

Indicates the certification can be verified.

admissible evidence

Highlights that evidence is fit to be admitted, particularly in legal settings.

FAQs

How can I use "legitimate proof" in a sentence?

You can use "legitimate proof" to describe evidence that is valid and officially recognized. For instance, "The scientist presented "valid evidence", establishing a clear link between the two events."

What are some alternatives to saying "legitimate proof"?

Alternatives include "valid evidence", "authentic verification", or "credible justification". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "legitimate proof"?

While "proof" inherently implies legitimacy, using "legitimate proof" can emphasize the official or legal recognition of the evidence, making it suitable for situations where such emphasis is needed.

What's the difference between "legitimate proof" and "prima facie evidence"?

"Legitimate proof" refers to generally accepted evidence. "Prima facie evidence" is evidence that is sufficient to prove a case unless rebutted, often used in legal contexts.