proof

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "proof" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "proof" to refer to evidence or an argument that is offered in support of a claim. Example sentence: The officials provided proof of the defendant's guilt.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even Warren Hill, a man with an IQ of 70 who is diagnosed as mentally retarded by every doctor who has examined him, found it impossible to meet this standard of proof".

The Guardian

Scullion said a recent Facebook page he saw which contained racist abuse aimed at Indigenous people was proof that "we still haven't got it right in this country".

The Guardian

The coalition of disability groups are pushing the Georgia state assembly to change the law to bring it in line with the other 49 states by lowering the burden of proof to "preponderance of the evidence".

The Guardian

She added that when they had begun lobbying Georgia's legislators, they had discovered that many of them were not even aware of the state's uniquely heavy burden of proof.

The Guardian

He told the Lowy Institute the milestone was proof the west's diplomatic pressure and sanctions against Russia – which is backing separatist rebels in the east – were bearing fruit.

The Guardian

But for all we (and Uefa) might suspect it was an Albanian flying it, without proof it is surely difficult to censure them for it.

The Guardian - Sport

As we gathered proof, Hamas admitted it was behind the attack".

The Guardian

Would the prime minister agree that this is proof of the success of his long-term economic plan?" That time could be much more usefully used by the opposition.

The Guardian

The continuing league system was held up by the Nazi regime as "proof of morale".

The Guardian - Sport

Both sides had a loyal following, but it was Piketty whose meticulous examination of the evidence, seemed to provide the impartial proof audiences were craving.

The Guardian - Money

Never was there more tangible proof of the sad lack of a credible political satirist of Jon Stewart's ilk on UK TV than the desperate elevation of Brand to the position of social sage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "proof", ensure the evidence you present is directly and logically linked to the claim you are trying to support. Strong "proof" leaves little room for doubt or alternative interpretations.

Common error

Avoid claiming something is "proof" when the evidence is only suggestive or circumstantial. Overstating the strength of your evidence can weaken your argument, instead, use qualifiers like "strong evidence" or "compelling indications".

Linguistic Context

The word "proof" functions primarily as a noun, denoting evidence or arguments establishing the truth of something. As Ludwig examples show, it refers to the degree of evidence that convinces the mind of a truth or fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "proof" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to denote evidence or arguments that establish the truth of something. According to Ludwig, the term is versatile and appropriate in a range of contexts, from legal and academic settings to more informal discussions. While "proof" implies a high degree of certainty, it's essential to avoid overstating the strength of evidence and choose alternative terms like "evidence", "confirmation", or "validation" when the "proof" is less conclusive. The consistent use of "proof" across diverse sources reinforces its reliability and applicability in conveying certainty and validation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence

Focuses on the information presented to support a claim.

verification

Emphasizes the act of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

validation

Highlights the process of establishing the soundness or correctness of something.

confirmation

Stresses the act of making something certain or definite.

substantiation

Indicates the act of providing evidence to support a claim or theory.

demonstration

Focuses on showing something clearly and conclusively.

corroboration

Emphasizes the strengthening of evidence with additional supporting facts.

attestation

Involves providing formal certification or confirmation.

testimony

Refers to a formal written or spoken statement offering evidence.

validation evidence

Highlights the process of confirming the validity with evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "proof" in a sentence?

You can use "proof" to refer to evidence or arguments that support a claim. For example: "The prosecution presented compelling "evidence" as "proof" of the defendant's guilt".

What are some alternatives to the word "proof"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "evidence", "confirmation", or "validation".

Is there a difference between "proof" and "evidence"?

"Proof" generally implies a higher degree of certainty than "evidence". "Evidence" is information that supports a claim, while "proof" suggests that the evidence is conclusive.

What constitutes sufficient "proof" in a legal context?

The standard of "proof" in legal contexts varies. In criminal cases, it's typically "beyond a reasonable doubt", while in civil cases, it's often "a preponderance of the evidence".