little evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

'little evidence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when discussing the amount of proof that is available regarding a certain topic or claim. For example, "There is little evidence to suggest that the new policy will have a positive impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Little evidence of real change".

The New York Times

That has left little evidence.

The New York Times

We see little evidence.

The New Yorker

There's little evidence of darkness returned.

The New York Times

There is little evidence of that.

The New York Times

There is little evidence of this.

The Economist

There is little evidence for such theories.

The Economist

There's little evidence to validate this.

The New York Times

The little evidence available is quite inconclusive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But optimists have little evidence to cite.

The Economist

But there's little evidence of this.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little evidence", clearly state what the evidence is lacking for. This provides context and strengthens your argument. For example, instead of saying "There is little evidence", specify, "There is "little evidence" to support the claim that...".

Common error

Avoid using "little evidence" to completely dismiss a claim without proper investigation. Acknowledge that while current evidence may be lacking, further research could potentially change the conclusion. Saying "While there is "little evidence" currently available, this does not preclude future findings" is more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little evidence" primarily functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a lack of substantial proof or support for a claim, assertion, or theory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little evidence" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a lack of substantial proof or support for a claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While often used in neutral or formal registers, it's crucial to provide context when using this phrase to clearly communicate what evidence is lacking for. Remember that stating there is "little evidence" does not necessarily equate to disproving something entirely, but rather highlights the weakness of the current support. Alternatives like "scant evidence" or "limited evidence" can be used to subtly adjust the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scant evidence

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the available evidence; slightly more formal.

limited evidence

Highlights that the evidence is not extensive or comprehensive.

minimal evidence

Focuses on the bare minimum amount of evidence available.

negligible evidence

Stresses the insignificance or unimportance of the evidence.

insufficient evidence

Indicates that the evidence is not enough to reach a conclusion.

little proof

Synonymous, using 'proof' instead of 'evidence'.

lack of evidence

Shifts the focus to the absence rather than the quantity of evidence.

paucity of evidence

A more formal way to describe a small amount of evidence.

meager evidence

Indicates that the evidence is poor or thin.

tenuous evidence

Suggests the evidence is weak or shaky.

FAQs

How to use "little evidence" in a sentence?

Use "little evidence" to indicate that there is a lack of proof or support for a particular claim or assertion. For example: "There is "little evidence" to suggest that the new policy will be effective."

What can I say instead of "little evidence"?

You can use alternatives such as "scant evidence", "limited evidence", or "minimal evidence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "little evidence" or "few evidence"?

"Little evidence" is the correct and accepted phrase. "Few" is used for countable nouns, while "evidence" is generally considered an uncountable noun. Therefore, "little" is the appropriate quantifier.

What's the difference between "little evidence" and "insufficient evidence"?

"Little evidence" simply indicates a small amount of evidence. "Insufficient evidence", on the other hand, emphasizes that the amount of evidence is not enough to reach a conclusion or support a claim. They are very similar, but "insufficient evidence" focuses on the inadequacy of the evidence for a specific purpose.