soft evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "soft evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to information or data that is not definitive or conclusive, often used in contexts like research, law, or decision-making. Example: "While we have some soft evidence suggesting a correlation, further research is needed to establish a stronger link."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Questions like that may still have to be made on the basis of the soft evidence that randomistas turn up their noses at.Randomistas rule?Mr Banerjee doubts whether randomistas and other development economists will ever get along.

The Economist

"Although we had no hard evidence," explained Marty Lipp, a spokesman, "the soft evidence led us to make a decision to let her go, because we can't and won't tolerate cheating on the tests".

The New York Times

Figure 9 shows an example of applying the soft evidence.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Fig. 9 Final posterior probability distributions with soft evidence.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Soft evidence is also employed to improve the prediction instead of using a user's local BN.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Based on a user's past click behaviour, the probability of category ((C)) node with soft evidence ((C^{prime })) is calculated as follows: P(C = Headlines) = 0.15, and given 21% of soft evidence for Headlines variable.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Although the original purpose of the current study was not to test the group differences, we would like to comment about the similarity or difference in the patterns of associations in the neurocognitive performances and neurological soft signs evidence.

Plosone

A potential fusion will be predicted only if reads from both sides of the break points show soft clip evidence to support the event.

Bioinformatics

37 38 Our findings are also consistent with existing literature that neither type of skull fracture nor the presence or absence of soft tissue evidence of impact to the head reliably distinguish accidental head injury from AHT. 39 40 We found intriguing differences in the pattern of injury in older children.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Characterization of the sliding surfaces showed material transfer, severe plastic deformation of the softer material, evidence of high strain and strain rate, and nanostructure formation at the surface and subsurface.

Acta Materialia

In many respects Mr. Lazio stood to gain even if there were no agreement, as he has chosen to exploit Mrs. Clinton's reliance on soft money as evidence of her close links to special interests groups and her association with President Clinton's often-criticized fund-raising tactics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "soft evidence" in academic or professional writing, clearly define what constitutes "soft evidence" in your specific context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "soft evidence" as definitive proof. Always acknowledge its limitations and the need for further investigation or stronger evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "soft evidence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "soft" modifies the noun "evidence". It describes evidence that is not conclusive or definitive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "soft evidence" describes non-definitive information used to support a claim, as Ludwig AI validates. It's grammatically correct and frequently found across various domains, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. While common, it's crucial to acknowledge its limitations and avoid overstating its significance, using it as a starting point for further investigation. Alternatives such as "circumstantial evidence" or "tentative evidence" may be appropriate depending on context. When incorporating "soft evidence" into your writing, clearly define what constitutes "soft evidence" within your specific context to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circumstantial evidence

Implies evidence that relies on inference rather than direct proof.

weak evidence

Directly indicates that the evidence is not strong or compelling.

tentative evidence

Suggests that the evidence is provisional and subject to change.

inconclusive evidence

Highlights that the evidence does not lead to a definitive conclusion.

suggestive evidence

Implies that the evidence hints at something without proving it.

limited evidence

Indicates that the amount of evidence available is small.

preliminary evidence

Refers to evidence that is gathered at the beginning of an investigation or study.

initial indications

Focuses on early signs or hints that something might be the case.

unconfirmed data

Emphasizes that the data has not been verified or validated.

anecdotal evidence

Refers to evidence based on personal accounts rather than systematic research.

FAQs

What does "soft evidence" mean?

"Soft evidence" refers to information that is not definitive or conclusive but suggests a particular conclusion. It contrasts with hard evidence, which is direct and irrefutable.

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

You can use "soft evidence" to qualify a claim or suggest a possibility. For example, "While we lack definitive data, there is "circumstantial evidence" pointing to this conclusion."

What are some alternatives to "soft evidence"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "tentative evidence", "suggestive evidence", or "circumstantial evidence".

Is it acceptable to base decisions solely on "soft evidence"?

Relying solely on "soft evidence" is generally not recommended for critical decisions. It is better to combine it with stronger forms of proof or use it as a starting point for further investigation.