lending credence

USAGE SUMMARY

"lending credence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone or something gives support or credibility to an idea or opinion. For example: "The expert's testimony lends credence to the claim that the defendant is innocent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Frum's Bush is a more complex protagonist than, say, Noonan's Reagan, lending credence to his portrayal.

The New York Times - Books

Lucid polyphony is pervasive, lending credence to reports of Mendelssohn's prodigious skills as an organist.

The New York Times - Arts

She then emailed details of her supposed hiding place, lending credence to her story.

The Guardian

Lending credence to her theory: the top three finishers at the Lincoln Theatre were all Terran players.

The New Yorker

Good agreement between simulation and experiment was observed, lending credence to the eventual application of the stochastic model as a basis for the study of deposition dynamics.

Chemical Engineering Science

In 1984 the Smithsonian pledged to take steps to avoid lending credence to inflated, donor-provided values.

The New York Times - Arts

Steinberg was conspicuously absent from the Epstein news conference, lending credence to that aspect of the story.

The New York Times - Sports

Scenes of bearded irregulars storming oil compounds have made Western companies nervous, lending credence to the colonel's claim that without him jihadists might grab the oilfields.

The Economist

A 1998 National Geographic investigation found that the hull was bent inward, suggesting that there had been an external force and lending credence to the mine theory.

The New York Times

The ritual humiliation of the political class reinforces the king's centrality and saps the public's confidence in politics, lending credence to the accusation that most politicians are compromised.

The New York Times

Also prominently displayed was Martin Luther King Jr.'s niece, Alveda King, lending credence to the host's claim to honor King's legacy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lending credence" when you want to show that new information or evidence supports an existing idea or claim. It is often used to indicate that something is becoming more believable.

Common error

Avoid using "lending credence" when the supporting evidence is insubstantial or unreliable. This can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lending credence" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate that something is providing support or credibility to a particular claim, theory, or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lending credence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that indicates the provision of support or credibility to something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a useful phrase in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, it serves to strengthen the believability of claims and theories. While alternatives exist, "lending credence" maintains a balance between formality and clarity, making it a valuable tool for persuasive and informative writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the supporting evidence is strong to maintain the integrity of your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

giving credibility

Focuses on the act of bestowing credibility, rather than the gradual effect.

supporting the idea

Highlights the act of providing support rather than increasing believability.

bolstering the claim

Emphasizes strengthening a particular assertion.

substantiating the theory

Suggests providing evidence to prove a theory's validity.

validating the hypothesis

Implies confirmation of a hypothesis through testing or evidence.

confirming the suspicion

Indicates verification of a pre-existing suspicion.

adding weight to

Focuses on the impact of additional evidence.

reinforcing the belief

Highlights the strengthening of an existing belief.

attesting to the truth

Stresses the confirmation of factual accuracy.

bearing out the account

Implies validating a story or narrative.

FAQs

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

Use "lending credence" to indicate that new information supports an existing idea. For example, "The witness's testimony is "lending credence" to the defendant's alibi."

What are some alternatives to "lending credence"?

Alternatives include "giving credibility", "supporting the idea", or "bolstering the claim". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "lending credence" or "providing credence"?

"Lending credence" and "providing credence" are very similar. "Lending credence" suggests a gradual increase in believability, while "providing credence" implies a more direct bestowal of credibility. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean for something to 'lend credence' to a theory?

When something "lends credence" to a theory, it means that it provides evidence or support that makes the theory more believable or plausible. It suggests that the theory is gaining validity.