less evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"less evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that there is less proof or data to support something than there previously was. For example: "The police investigation into the robbery yielded less evidence than the detectives had hoped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is much less evidence against Clemens.

The New York Times - Sports

The higher you go, the less evidence you will find".

The Guardian

"The autopsy wasn't even finished, much less evidence collection.

The New York Times

There has been less evidence about corruption involving Russia.

The Guardian - Sport

(There is less evidence, however, of the ironic cover album).

The New Yorker

"He saw what a jury did in a case with less evidence," he said.

The New York Times

However, on the broader labour force survey measure, there was less evidence of improvement.

The Guardian

In Australia, there's less evidence about the effect of minimum wages on employment.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this much is sure: The Bush administration has invaded a country on far less evidence.

The New York Times

(There is less evidence for prebiotics, which feed "good" bacteria in the digestive tract).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Scooter Libby was tried and convicted with less evidence," said Mr. Durkin, a former prosecutor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less evidence" when referring to a general lack of proof or support, rather than countable items. For countable instances, use "fewer pieces of evidence".

Common error

Avoid using "fewer evidence". "Evidence" is generally considered a non-countable noun, so the correct term is "less evidence". "Fewer" is used for countable nouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less evidence" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It quantifies the degree to which evidence is present, indicating a reduced amount of proof or support. This aligns with Ludwig's AI confirmation of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less evidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a diminished amount of proof or support. According to Ludwig's AI analysis, it is indeed a correct and usable expression. Its usage spans across various contexts, prominently in news, scientific, and formal writing. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; specify what lacks sufficient evidence to avoid ambiguity. While "less evidence" is suitable for non-countable instances, remember to use "fewer pieces of evidence" when referring to countable elements. As demonstrated by Ludwig, understanding its context and nuances ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaker proof

Focuses on the strength of the evidence rather than the quantity.

scarcer data

Highlights the lack of available data to support a conclusion.

limited substantiation

Emphasizes the restricted amount of supporting information.

meager support

Underlines the insubstantial nature of the backing for an argument.

reduced validation

Suggests a decrease in the confirmation or verification of something.

declining corroboration

Implies that the confirmation is decreasing.

diminished support

Highlights reduced encouragement, financial help, or backing for a claim.

lower validation

Indicates a reduction in proving that something is true.

rare proof

Refers to an occurrence of proof that is uncommon.

attenuated support

Emphasizes a support that has been reduced in force or value.

FAQs

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

You can use "less evidence" to indicate a lack of proof or support for a particular claim or argument. For example, "There is "less evidence" to support the idea that vitamin C prevents the common cold".

What are some synonyms for "less evidence"?

Alternatives to "less evidence" include "weaker proof", "scarcer data", or "limited substantiation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "fewer evidence" instead of "less evidence"?

No, it is generally not correct to say "fewer evidence". "Evidence" is typically treated as a non-countable noun, so "less evidence" is the grammatically correct choice. Use "fewer" with countable nouns.

What's the difference between "less evidence" and "no evidence"?

"Less evidence" suggests that some evidence exists, but it is not substantial or convincing. "No evidence", on the other hand, indicates a complete absence of proof or support for a claim.