small evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to a small amount of proof or support for a statement or claim. Example: The detective found small evidence of the suspect's presence at the crime scene, but it was not enough to charge them with the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"They may have to gather small evidence and bring it back and see if it could be evaluated".

The New York Times

The tone of his notebooks, as of his private letters, was ironic, impatient, quick-tempered, and he rushed to confident speculations on the basis of small evidence.

The New Yorker

To the confoundment of creationists, this small evidence is not the same as little evidence — sequences of reasoning based on a transit or a tooth usually produce other kinds of evidence, or more bones.

The New Yorker

Unless a company is very small, evidence of fraud almost always surfaces, convincing clients to sign up for a yearly package that costs three or four times as much as a spot-check, says John Brocar of APEX Analytix.Why spend the money?

The Economist

This review found a very small evidence base and no studies from Australia.

Health & Justice

Although relatively small, evidence from previous clinical trials suggests that enalaprilat is generally well tolerated [11].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In the world of private luxury, standards of quality are occasionally interrupted by humor and small evidences of human whim.

The New Yorker

Because little research has been conducted on which therapist-client interactions lead to intermediate and end-point improvements in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we have a small evidence-base from which to specify what therapists must know and do in order to obtain good outcomes using DBT.

Behavior Therapy

This study provides small evidences that neuroticism contributes directly to the development of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

I said this because I did have small evidences.

Vice

There have been only small evidences about pediatric difficult airway prediction factor, especially in infants [ 13].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small evidence", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the evidence supports. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting "small evidence" as definitive proof. Acknowledge its limitations and use it as a starting point for further investigation or as supporting information alongside other stronger evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small evidence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "small" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "evidence". It describes the quantity or significance of the evidence presented. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small evidence" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a limited amount of proof or support. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most commonly found in science and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. Related phrases include "limited evidence", "slight evidence", and "minimal evidence", each carrying slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid overstating its importance and to acknowledge its limitations, setting the stage for further inquiry or corroborating information. The existence of real-world examples supports its effective and appropriate usage in various professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal evidence

Replaces "small" with "minimal", suggesting the evidence is at the lowest possible level.

limited evidence

Substitutes "small" with "limited", implying a restriction on the amount of evidence available.

slight evidence

Uses "slight" instead of "small", conveying a sense of delicate or barely perceptible evidence.

minor evidence

Replaces "small" with "minor", suggesting the evidence is not of great importance or significance.

scant evidence

Substitutes "small" with "scant", indicating that there is very little evidence, possibly insufficient.

meager evidence

Uses "meager" instead of "small", implying the evidence is deficient in quantity or quality.

negligible evidence

Replaces "small" with "negligible", conveying that the evidence is so small it can be disregarded.

paltry evidence

Substitutes "small" with "paltry", suggesting the evidence is insignificant or worthless.

weak evidence

Shifts the focus from the amount of evidence to the strength of the evidence.

circumstantial evidence

Replaces "small" with "circumstantial", indicating the evidence is indirect and relies on inference.

FAQs

How to use "small evidence" in a sentence?

Use "small evidence" to describe a situation where the available proof is limited but suggestive. For example, "The detective had only "small evidence" to link the suspect to the crime scene, but it was enough to warrant further investigation."

What can I say instead of "small evidence"?

You can use alternatives like "limited evidence", "slight evidence", or "minimal evidence" depending on the context. These phrases all suggest a lack of substantial proof.

Which is correct, "small evidence" or "little evidence"?

Both "small evidence" and "little evidence" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "little evidence" might be more commonly used in general conversation.

What's the difference between "small evidence" and "circumstantial evidence"?

"Small evidence" refers to the quantity or amount of evidence, while "circumstantial evidence" refers to the nature of the evidence being indirect and requiring inference to connect it to a conclusion.