proof of witchcraft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proof of witchcraft" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about historical events, folklore, or legal contexts related to accusations of witchcraft. Example: "The trial was based on flimsy evidence, with no real proof of witchcraft presented by the prosecution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What constituted sufficient proof of witchcraft?

The New Yorker

The claim prompted debate over whether or not the object was proof of witchcraft, and hundreds of people gathered at local police stations hoping to glimpse the black tube with two sticks.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Compendium of Witchcraft and Folklore.

Cornell University

Children were also accused of witchcraft.

Britannica

Kepler's mother was accused of witchcraft.

Britannica

Perky music for a positive, upbeat definition of witchcraft.

The New York Times - Arts

"Kristy was killed in the name of witchcraft.

Independent

It wasn't only women who were accused of witchcraft.

The New York Times

In 1871 he reported evidence of witchcraft in rural Somerset.

The Guardian

At first I thought it was some kind of witchcraft.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Followers of the ancient but no longer influential deities were often subjected to persecution as advocates of witchcraft, especially in Christian Europe (see also witchcraft).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical contexts, use "proof of witchcraft" to refer to the standards of evidence accepted at the time, recognizing they may differ significantly from modern standards. For example, spectral evidence was once considered "proof of witchcraft".

Common error

Avoid imposing contemporary scientific standards on historical accusations of witchcraft. What was considered "proof of witchcraft" in the past often relied on superstition or biased testimony, not verifiable facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proof of witchcraft" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It often acts as the object of a verb or preposition, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "What constituted sufficient proof of witchcraft?" or "The claim prompted debate over whether or not the object was proof of witchcraft."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proof of witchcraft" is a noun phrase primarily used to discuss historical events, folklore, or legal contexts related to accusations of witchcraft. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct, although its frequency is rare in contemporary usage. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and encyclopedia sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the historical context and avoid applying modern evidentiary standards to past accusations. Alternatives include "evidence of witchcraft" or "demonstration of witchcraft".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence of witchcraft

Focuses on the evidence rather than the conclusive proof.

demonstration of witchcraft

Shifts the focus to an act that serves as evidence.

indications of witchcraft

Suggests signs or clues rather than definitive proof.

substantiation of witchcraft

Emphasizes the need for solid support for the claim.

corroboration of witchcraft

Highlights the need for confirmation from multiple sources.

verification of witchcraft

Focuses on confirming the reality of witchcraft activity.

legal proof of witchcraft

Specifies that the proof meets legal standards for conviction.

witchcraft accusations

Shifts focus from proving witchcraft to the act of accusing someone.

trial for witchcraft

Focuses on the legal process and the accusations made in court.

practice of witchcraft

Shifts focus to the performance of witchcraft rather than proof of its existence.

FAQs

How can "proof of witchcraft" be used in a sentence?

You can use "proof of witchcraft" in sentences such as: "The trial lacked any real "proof of witchcraft"", or "What constituted sufficient "proof of witchcraft" during the Salem witch trials?"

What are some alternatives to "proof of witchcraft"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "evidence of witchcraft", "demonstration of witchcraft", or "indications of witchcraft".

What kind of evidence was considered "proof of witchcraft" in historical trials?

Historically, supposed "proof of witchcraft" included things like confessions (often coerced), testimony of afflicted individuals, and physical marks believed to be signs of a pact with the devil. Spectral evidence (visions) was also infamously used.

Is there any actual "proof of witchcraft" according to modern scientific standards?

No, under modern scientific and legal standards, there is no accepted "proof of witchcraft". Witchcraft is not recognized as a valid phenomenon, and accusations are considered superstition or misinterpretations of natural events or human behavior.