paucity of evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paucity of evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack or insufficiency of evidence in a particular context, such as research, legal matters, or arguments. Example: "The jury was unable to reach a verdict due to the paucity of evidence presented during the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the Edwards case, there was a paucity of evidence.

The Washington Post

Despite the paucity of evidence, most experts agree.

The New York Times

There have been delays and a paucity of evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is paucity of evidence based literature regarding DMTs.

Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine

As Sassoon drily observes, it is mainly the "paucity of evidence" which "keeps the experts divided".

The Guardian - Books

Hernandez was convicted anyway, although the trial judge refused to impose a death sentence, because of the paucity of evidence.

The New Yorker

Further research is recommended to explore these underlying issues to improve the paucity of evidence.

Bioactive Carbohydrates and Dietary Fibre

In this regard there is a paucity of evidence from prospective studies.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

There is a paucity of evidence on what works why, when and with whom.

Science of The Total Environment

Mixed states present nosologic and diagnostic challenges with a relative paucity of evidence to guide treatment.

L'Encéphale

However, there is paucity of evidence documenting patterns of APD use and examining factors associated with adherence to APDs.

Clinical Therapeutics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "paucity of evidence", ensure your writing clearly articulates what specific claim or argument lacks sufficient support. For example, state "There is a "paucity of evidence" to support the claim that X causes Y."

Common error

Avoid using "paucity of evidence" simply to dismiss an idea. Instead, clarify what kind of evidence is missing and why its absence is problematic. A simple statement of a lack of evidence doesn't necessarily mean a claim is false.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paucity of evidence" functions as a noun phrase used to denote a lack or insufficiency of evidence in a given context. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly employed in formal writing and speech to underscore the absence of adequate supporting information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "paucity of evidence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that denotes a lack or insufficiency of evidence. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly employed in formal contexts, particularly in science, news, and academia, to express doubt or skepticism regarding a claim due to inadequate supporting proof. While alternatives like "lack of evidence" or "insufficient proof" exist, "paucity of evidence" carries a more formal and emphatic tone. The best practice is to clearly articulate what specific claim lacks support, and to avoid simply dismissing ideas without explaining why the missing evidence is problematic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcity of evidence

Replaces "paucity" with "scarcity", a synonym indicating a limited quantity.

lack of substantiation

Focuses on the absence of supporting facts or details.

meager evidence

Emphasizes the thinness or inadequacy of the available proof.

insufficient proof

Highlights the inadequacy of the evidence to establish a fact.

limited evidence

Indicates a restriction on the amount of evidence available.

thin evidence

Describes the evidence as weak or unconvincing.

dearth of proof

Uses "dearth" to emphasize a severe lack of evidence.

absence of supporting data

Specifies the lack of data to back up a claim.

scant evidence

Suggests that very little evidence exists.

inadequate substantiation

Combines the ideas of inadequacy and lack of support.

FAQs

How can I use "paucity of evidence" in a sentence?

You can use "paucity of evidence" to indicate that there is not enough evidence to support a claim or argument. For example: "The case was dismissed due to a "paucity of evidence.""

What can I say instead of "paucity of evidence"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of evidence", "insufficient proof", or "scarcity of evidence".

Is it better to say "paucity of evidence" or "lack of evidence"?

"Paucity of evidence" is more formal and emphasizes a severe shortage. "Lack of evidence" is more common and generally suitable. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What does it mean when someone says there is a "paucity of evidence"?

It means that there is not enough evidence available to support a particular claim, theory, or conclusion. The evidence is either scarce or of poor quality.