rely on evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

'rely on evidence' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone should look to facts or evidence to make a decision. For example, "When making important decisions, you should always rely on evidence and not just make a decision based on opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Policymakers rely on evidence sources whom they trust.

Nature

The convictions of Dobson and Norris did not rely on evidence they had stabbed Lawrence.

The Guardian

The Board also claims to rely on evidence of antiunion animus to infer retaliatory motive.

Cornell University

Such assertions tend to rely on evidence from states that are democratic to begin with.

Princeton University

But before we make that decision, we should rely on evidence, not instinct.

The New York Times

Instead, the researchers rely on evidence of geological upheaval to make their case.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

And as a medical student, he learned to rely on evidence-based solutions.

Stanford University

Mr. Miller's legislation proposed that states approve only crisis intervention training programs that rely on evidence-based techniques that have been "shown to be effective".

The New York Times

And when it comes to how we approach specific decisions that affect the natural environment, it seems we must doubt the extent to which we can rely on evidence-based policy.

The Guardian

The future of personalized oncological therapy will likely rely on evidence-based medicine to integrate all of the available evidence to delineate the most efficacious treatment option for the patient.

Neoplasia

As such, we need those working in HHS to rely on evidence-based methods to reduce the need for abortion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, combine "rely on evidence" with strong verbs to enhance the impact of your claims. For example, 'effectively rely on evidence' or 'critically rely on evidence'.

Common error

Avoid overstating your conclusions when you "rely on evidence". Ensure that the evidence directly supports the claims you are making, and acknowledge any limitations or uncertainties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rely on evidence" functions as a verb phrase with a prepositional complement. It indicates the action of depending on factual information to support a claim, decision, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rely on evidence" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to emphasize the importance of basing decisions and conclusions on verifiable facts. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and understood. It is particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that your conclusions are directly supported by the evidence and to avoid overstatements. Consider alternatives like "depend on evidence" or "base decisions on evidence" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on evidence

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing dependence.

base decisions on evidence

This alternative highlights the act of making decisions.

draw conclusions from evidence

This focuses on the process of reaching a conclusion.

use evidence as a basis

This emphasizes the use of evidence as a foundation.

take into account evidence

This alternative highlights the act of considering the evidence.

give weight to evidence

This emphasizes the importance assigned to the evidence.

consider the evidence

This alternative is a more general form, suggesting consideration.

assess the evidence

This alternative focuses on evaluating the merit of evidence.

be guided by evidence

This suggests evidence is directing decisions.

validate through evidence

This alternative emphasizes confirming something using proof.

FAQs

How can I use "rely on evidence" in a sentence?

You can use "rely on evidence" to indicate that a decision or conclusion should be based on facts and data, rather than opinion or speculation. For example: 'The investigation must "rely on evidence" to determine the cause of the incident'.

What are some alternatives to "rely on evidence"?

Some alternatives to "rely on evidence" include "depend on evidence", "base decisions on evidence", or "draw conclusions from evidence".

Is it better to "rely on evidence" or "trust your instincts"?

While instincts can be valuable, especially in situations requiring quick decisions, it's generally safer to "rely on evidence", especially in important or complex matters. Evidence provides a more objective and verifiable basis for decision-making.

What does it mean to "rely on evidence" in a court of law?

In a court of law, to "rely on evidence" means that the arguments and decisions must be based on factual information presented in court, such as witness testimony, documents, and forensic analysis, rather than on speculation or personal opinions.