material evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"material evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to physical evidence that can be used in court or for other legal proceedings. For example, "The police found material evidence in the suspect's car that linked him to the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No other material evidence linked either suspect to the scene.

The New York Times

Consequently, proving anything with material evidence appears unlikely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Its statement Thursday said the seized items included "material evidence of industrial espionage".

The New York Times

That sight is now retrievable only when pieced together from material evidence.

The New York Times

The label pinned on the fragments is not supported by material evidence.

The New York Times - Arts

Her sources: "surviving ancient literary and material evidence, including Roman portraiture, hairdressing artifacts, and epigraphy".

The New Yorker

Finding it would be a sensational coup, he was convinced, providing material evidence supporting Darwinian evolution.

The New York Times - Books

With no material evidence or eyewitnesses, it hinged on Aron's credibility.

The New Yorker

Material evidence for Solomon's reign, as for that of his father, is scant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In her vocabulary, such events are "sensory overrides" — sensory perceptions that override material evidence.

The New Yorker

While withholding material evidence intentionally can get a lawyer disbarred, Ms. Klein said, "It's extremely unlikely".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "material evidence", ensure it is properly documented and its chain of custody is maintained to preserve its integrity for legal or investigative purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "material evidence" when you actually mean circumstantial evidence. "Material evidence" directly proves a fact, while circumstantial evidence implies a fact through indirect means.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material evidence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies and describes physical or tangible items presented as proof in legal, scientific, or investigative contexts. As supported by Ludwig, this term denotes concrete objects or documentation used to substantiate claims.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "material evidence" is a frequently used noun phrase referring to tangible proof presented to support a claim, particularly in legal, scientific, and investigative settings. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It appears most often in news and media, science, and encyclopedias sources. When using "material evidence", it's important to ensure proper documentation and chain of custody. Avoid confusing it with circumstantial evidence. Alternatives include "physical proof", "tangible evidence" and "concrete proof".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Physical proof

Replaces "evidence" with "proof" emphasizing the tangible aspect.

Tangible evidence

Substitutes "material" with "tangible", highlighting the concrete nature of the evidence.

Concrete proof

Combines "concrete" and "proof" for a strong emphasis on the real and undeniable nature of the evidence.

Substantial evidence

Emphasizes the significance and weight of the evidence.

Hard evidence

Replaces "material" with "hard" stressing the reliability and irrefutability of the evidence.

Forensic evidence

Specifies evidence collected and analyzed using scientific techniques, often in legal contexts.

Documentary evidence

Highlights evidence presented in written or recorded form.

Exhibits

Refers to items presented as evidence in court.

Real evidence

A more general term emphasizing the genuineness of the evidence.

Factual evidence

Focuses on evidence based on facts and verifiable information.

FAQs

How is "material evidence" used in legal contexts?

"Material evidence" refers to physical items or documents that are presented in court to prove or disprove a fact in question. It must be relevant and directly related to the case.

What are some examples of "material evidence"?

Examples of "material evidence" include fingerprints, DNA samples, weapons, documents, photographs, and any other physical objects that can be presented in court to support a claim.

What's the difference between "material evidence" and circumstantial evidence?

"Material evidence" directly proves a fact, while circumstantial evidence suggests a fact through inference. For example, finding a murder weapon with the suspect's fingerprints is "material evidence", while the suspect's presence near the crime scene is circumstantial.

What can I say instead of "material evidence"?

You can use alternatives like "physical proof", "tangible evidence", or "concrete proof depending" on the context.