paltry evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paltry evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe evidence that is insufficient, meager, or lacking in substance. Example: "The defense attorney argued that the prosecution's case was built on paltry evidence that could not support a conviction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

When challenged, the paltry evidence base of this industry soon becomes clear.

Independent

These come from friends across the political spectrum who are appalled by the paltry evidence the United States offers, by the way in which it is bullying its allies, and by the degree to which it is putting Israel at risk.

The New York Times

Instead, Levon Brooks—a former boyfriend of Courtney Smith's mother, and Kennedy Brewer who dated Christine Jackson's mother were arrested and convicted in the two cases despite paltry evidence against them.

Vice

And after Justice Stephen Breyer noted the paltry evidence that minor nonviolent criminals smuggle in contraband, Sotomayor expressed her exasperation to Assistant Solicitor General Nicole Saharsky, arguing on behalf of the United States in support of the New Jersey jails.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We'll never know, because the evidence is so paltry.

The New Yorker

But, as evidenced by Houston's paltry point total and chilly 37percentt shooting, defense -- on the last play or throughout the game -- was not the Knicks' problem.

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly,it's true that the "evidence" is, by most historical standards, paltry, and the "mythicist" position is not to be sneezed at, if you can sneeze at a theological position.

The New Yorker

Evidence of an Insidious Governmental trend toward Peevishly paltry taxation.

The New Yorker

And they should be able to do so, as the court stressed, under standard habeas corpus procedures that allow them to present evidence and confront witnesses, and not under the paltry procedures outlined by the 2006 Military Commissions Act.

The New York Times

UEFA, the European soccer authority, studied the evidence that led to acts of violence on the field, and handed paltry fines and warnings to the Serbian federation as well as fines to English players who reacted to the abuse.

The New York Times - Sports

But in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art'" - the direction of the narrative would have us take this as evidence that Miss Bingley is a bit of a bitch.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "paltry evidence", ensure that you're accurately conveying the idea that the available evidence is not only minimal but also inadequate to support a claim or argument. Avoid using it when the evidence is simply limited but potentially strong.

Common error

Don't assume that "paltry evidence" is synonymous with any limited evidence. "Paltry" suggests the evidence is so weak it's practically useless, not just that there isn't much of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paltry evidence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "paltry" modifies the noun "evidence". It describes the quality of the evidence, indicating its insufficiency or insignificance. Ludwig AI identifies its usage in various news articles.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "paltry evidence" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the idea of evidence that is not only minimal but also inadequate to support a claim. While alternatives like "meager evidence" or "scant evidence" can be used, it's important to remember that "paltry" implies a degree of worthlessness in addition to scarcity. Therefore, understanding this nuance is crucial for accurately conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager evidence

Focuses on the deficiency in quantity or amount of evidence.

scant evidence

Emphasizes the insufficiency and scarcity of the evidence.

thin evidence

Highlights the weakness and lack of depth in the evidence.

flimsy evidence

Suggests the evidence is weak and easily refuted.

insubstantial evidence

Indicates a lack of significant or solid evidence.

negligible evidence

Stresses the insignificance and unimportance of the evidence.

derisory evidence

Points out that the evidence is laughably small or inadequate.

inadequate proof

Highlights the insufficiency of the proof provided.

weak justification

Indicates the support offered is feeble or unconvincing.

poor substantiation

Focuses on the deficiency in the factual basis offered to support a claim.

FAQs

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

You can use "paltry evidence" to describe a situation where the available proof is insufficient or weak. For example, "The case was dismissed due to the paltry evidence presented by the prosecution."

What are some alternatives to "paltry evidence"?

You can use alternatives like "meager evidence", "scant evidence", or "thin evidence" to convey a similar meaning.

What does "paltry" mean?

"Paltry" means small or meager, often in a way that is contemptible or inadequate. In the context of "paltry evidence", it means that the evidence is not only limited but also of poor quality.

Is "paltry evidence" a formal or informal expression?

"Paltry evidence" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in formal writing or speech, especially in legal or academic settings.