probative value

USAGE SUMMARY

"probative value" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in a legal context to refer to evidence that has the power to prove or disprove an issue. For example, "The witness testimony had strong probative value in determining the outcome of the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rules of evidence are loosened to that with "probative value to a reasonable person".

The New York Times

Which potential physical evidence in this case would be of greatest probative value to the investigator?

The New York Times

The evidence of their guilt does not have to meet the familiar standard "beyond reasonable doubt" but must simply "have probative value to a reasonable person".

The New York Times

Those actions made it difficult to tell what he knew on his own, further diminishing the probative value of his subsequent confession.

The New York Times

But under the president's order, all evidence that would "have probative value to a reasonable person" is to be considered by the tribunals.

The New York Times

But that was before the 2003 act allowed evidence of bad character to be admitted provided it had substantial probative value.

The Guardian

I am going to permit it, but I might say that I doubt it will have a great deal of probative value.

The New Yorker

But the president's order suggested that any evidence -- apparently including hearsay -- would be admitted if it had "probative value to a reasonable person".

The New York Times

Mr. Worth said there was "no probative value" to the tape, but Eric Warner, the chief prosecutor, said Mr. Diallo's physical appearance and clothing could be relevant.

The New York Times

Judges routinely exclude evidence when its prejudicial effect outweighs its probative value — an odd phrase that can be explained with an example from Hitt's article.

The New Yorker

They have no probative value whatsoever in the discussion and cannot be used in questioning the advice that prostate cancer testing for the elderly should be curtailed at an age younger than that attained by the writers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or evidentiary matters, use "probative value" to specifically denote the extent to which a piece of evidence helps prove or disprove a claim. This term is particularly useful when distinguishing between evidence that is merely relevant and evidence that is actually persuasive.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all relevant evidence has high "probative value". Evidence might be relevant to a case but still lack the strength to significantly influence the outcome. Always assess the degree to which the evidence supports the claim, not just whether it relates to the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probative value" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in legal and analytical contexts. It indicates the extent to which a piece of evidence serves to prove or disprove a fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probative value" is a noun phrase used to describe the extent to which a piece of evidence helps prove or disprove a fact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in legal and scientific contexts. It is crucial to differentiate relevance from "probative value", as evidence may be relevant but lack the strength to significantly influence outcomes. Related phrases like "evidential weight" and "evidentiary strength" offer alternative ways to convey the importance of evidence. The phrase’s formal and scientific register indicates its suitability for discussions requiring precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probative force

A more direct synonym, highlighting the forcefulness of the evidence in proving a point.

probative worth

Highlights the worth or value of evidence in proving a case.

probative character

Highlights the character or nature of the evidence in terms of its ability to prove something.

evidential weight

Focuses on the weight or importance of evidence, rather than its tendency to prove something.

evidentiary strength

Emphasizes the strength of evidence in supporting a claim.

inferential power

Stresses the power of evidence to lead to a certain conclusion or inference.

persuasive impact

Highlights the ability of evidence to persuade or convince.

demonstrative effect

Focuses on the effect of evidence in demonstrating a fact or claim.

significance of evidence

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of the evidence.

relevance and materiality

Indicates the degree to which evidence is both relevant and important to a case.

FAQs

How is "probative value" used in legal contexts?

"Probative value" in legal contexts refers to the degree to which a piece of evidence helps to prove or disprove a fact in question. It's a crucial factor in determining whether evidence is admissible in court.

What's the difference between "probative value" and relevance in law?

Relevance is a basic requirement for evidence to be considered, meaning it must relate to the case. "Probative value", on the other hand, refers to the strength of that relevant evidence in proving or disproving a key fact. Evidence can be relevant but have little "probative value".

What are some phrases similar to "probative value"?

Alternatives to "probative value" include "evidential weight", "evidentiary strength", or "probative force". These phrases emphasize the degree to which evidence supports a claim.

How does a judge assess the "probative value" of evidence?

A judge assesses "probative value" by considering the reliability of the evidence, its potential to mislead or confuse the jury, and whether its prejudicial effect outweighs its ability to prove a fact. They balance the need for the evidence against the risk of unfair prejudice.