lend credence

USAGE SUMMARY

"lend credence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when something or someone is lending support to an idea or argument. For example, "The detailed research findings lend credence to the theory that..."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They lend credence to this radio station.

The Guardian

Waugh's own homosexual relationships lend credence to that interpretation.

Britannica

Those types of games lend credence to conspiracy theories".

The New York Times - Sports

Merkel's difficulties lend credence to a somewhat counterintuitive observation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The phase space plots are often invoked and they lend credence to the findings.

Superlattices and Microstructures

Other details in the proxy statement may lend credence to Pep Boys' claim.

The New York Times

Will your conversion -- literally and figuratively -- to digital audiobooks lend credence to these depressing forecasts?

The New York Times

Those arrested, however, did little to lend credence to that accusation.

The New York Times

The data on Tuesday seemed to lend credence to such talk.

The New York Times

A loss in such a Republican state would only lend credence to those allegations.

The Washington Post

A tape recording of the meeting appeared to lend credence to the report, one official said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about what is lending credence. Clearly identify the source of the support and the idea or claim it supports to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lend credence" when the support is minimal or circumstantial. Overstating the strength of the evidence can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lend credence" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something is providing support or validation to an idea, claim, or theory. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lend credence" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that means to provide support or validation to a claim or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. To enhance your writing, ensure the supporting evidence genuinely strengthens the claim and avoid overstating the support. Consider using alternatives like "support the validity of" or "give weight to" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bolster the credibility of

Highlights strengthening the trustworthiness or reliability of something or someone.

corroborate the evidence

Emphasizes providing additional support or confirmation to existing evidence.

support the validity of

Emphasizes the action of providing evidence or justification that confirms the truth or accuracy of something.

confirm the hypothesis

Specifically refers to verifying a scientific hypothesis through experimentation or observation.

substantiate the claim

Specifically refers to providing evidence to prove the truth of a particular assertion.

validate the theory

Implies confirming the accuracy or soundness of a theoretical concept through evidence or testing.

give weight to

Focuses on adding importance or significance to an idea, making it more convincing.

add plausibility to

Focuses on making something seem more believable or likely.

affirm the truth of

Focuses on declaring something as true, often based on personal belief or conviction.

bear out

Suggests that evidence or events confirm or support a statement or prediction.

FAQs

How can I use "lend credence" in a sentence?

Use "lend credence" to show that something supports a claim or idea. For example: "The new data "lends credence" to the theory of climate change."

What phrases are similar to "lend credence"?

Alternatives include "support the validity of", "give weight to", or "bolster the credibility of", which all suggest providing support or validation.

Is it appropriate to use "lend credence" in formal writing?

Yes, "lend credence" is suitable for formal writing. It is often found in academic, scientific, and professional contexts where evidence and support are important.

What's the difference between "lend credence" and "prove"?

"Lend credence" suggests providing support or making something more believable, while "prove" implies definitively establishing the truth of something. "Lend credence" suggests support, not definitive proof.