sheer evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the clarity or undeniable nature of the evidence being presented. Example: "The sheer evidence of the experiment's results left no room for doubt about the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The strength of the book lies in the sheer evidence.

The New York Times - Books

No sheer evidence supports that the US market spills over into the Islamic emerging equity markets.

The North American Journal of Economics and Finance

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The National Football League has been forced — by sheer empirical evidence that its money and power cannot obscure — to confront the brain damage and rapid deterioration from the essential act of that sport: one brute slamming into another.

The New York Times - Sports

But the sheer volume of evidence dismays him.

The New York Times

Given the sheer weight of evidence, for me, the decision to prosecute was never in doubt.

The Guardian - Opinion

His sheer output is evidence of Shepard's drive to write.

The Guardian

Vouchers would increase inequality because children who are hardest to teach would be left behind.But these arguments are now succumbing to sheer weight of evidence.

The Economist

The sheer amount of evidence in the film lends itself to a subtheme about surveillance, also a hot topic on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The New York Times - Arts

"Most of the people we arrest say 'no comment' and then plead guilty when it goes to court due to the sheer amount of evidence we have against them," he said.

Independent

In a move that is either sheer gall or evidence that Kelly may not be aware of the gravity of his legal situation, he begins one verse with the words "I swear to tell the truth and the whole truth".

The New Yorker

He stands out as a whistleblower both because of the severity of the crimes and misconduct that he is divulging to the public – and the sheer amount of evidence he has presented us with so far – more is coming.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer evidence" to highlight the impressive or overwhelming nature of the evidence you are presenting. It adds emphasis and can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer evidence" when simply presenting ordinary evidence. The phrase is meant to convey a sense of magnitude or undeniable clarity, not just any proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer evidence" functions as a noun phrase, where "sheer" modifies the noun "evidence". It is used to emphasize the substantial quantity, quality, or impact of the evidence, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer evidence" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the overwhelming or undeniable nature of evidence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions to persuade or convince, typically appearing in neutral contexts like news and scientific publications. While grammatically correct, it should be used intentionally to highlight the magnitude or impact of the evidence, as misusing it can dilute its effect. Alternatives like "compelling evidence" or "overwhelming evidence" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming evidence

Emphasizes the abundance and impact of the evidence.

compelling evidence

Highlights the convincing and persuasive nature of the evidence.

undeniable proof

Stresses the irrefutable and certain quality of the proof.

conclusive proof

Focuses on the definitive and decisive aspect of the proof.

irrefutable evidence

Indicates that the evidence cannot be disproven or argued against.

substantial evidence

Highlights the significant and considerable amount of evidence.

abundant evidence

Emphasizes the plentiful and copious nature of the evidence.

ample proof

Suggests that there is more than enough proof available.

clear evidence

Focuses on the easiness to see or understand the evidence.

massive evidence

Stresses a big amount of evidence to be analyzed.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer evidence" in a sentence?

Use "sheer evidence" when you want to emphasize the overwhelming or undeniable nature of the evidence. For example, "The case was won based on the "sheer evidence" presented by the prosecution".

What are some alternatives to "sheer evidence"?

Alternatives include "compelling evidence", "overwhelming evidence", or "irrefutable evidence", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "sheer evidence" or "clear evidence"?

"Sheer evidence" emphasizes the magnitude or undeniable quality of the evidence, while "clear evidence" simply suggests that the evidence is easy to understand. The best choice depends on the context. Use "clear evidence" to denote easy intelligibility and "sheer evidence" to denote volume or irrefutability.

What does "sheer" mean in the context of "sheer evidence"?

In this context, "sheer" means 'nothing other than' or 'unqualified'. It emphasizes the extent or degree of the evidence, implying that it is substantial and undeniably impactful. It´s the "sheer quantity" that makes it impossible to ignore.