substantial proof

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial proof" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when someone is providing a large amount of evidence to back up their claims. For example, "The defendant provided substantial proof to back up his innocence claim".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

If there were substantial proof, then maybe it's about time.

The Guardian - Sport

Professor Risinger said that at bottom, the study offered substantial proof of a relatively unimportant point.

The New York Times

He and his staff have found substantial proof that Da Vinci's father owned a slave called Caterina.

The Guardian

There is no substantial proof, but hundreds of Iraqis are angry at Jordan for what they say is an instigation of violence.

The New York Times

An examination of the testimony does not satisfy us that the court below was without substantial proof in reaching this conclusion.

Cornell University

"We have substantial proof and evidence that there has been harm done by outside interference," said Jonathan Parker, the state party's executive director.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Insulate your home: draughts are responsible for a quarter of heat loss from a home, but substantial proofing is cheap, will cut your bills, and could save half a tonne of CO2, especially if you live in an older house.

The Guardian

1485, 1496 (D.Minn.1985) ("The existence of the identical unnecessary instructions in both codes is strong proof of substantial similarity").; SAS Inst.

Harvard University

They say that before many investors will make a substantial commitment to the market, they must see real proof that the economy and company earnings are indeed turning around.

The New York Times

But most of the world will certainly not accept an argument that Iraq had innocent technologies that it was planning to use later for deadly purposes, unless there is substantial supporting proof.

The New York Times

Richard Wilson's 1988 installation 20 50, a room-filling tank of sump oil, so perfectly reflective that it confuses the eye, is a test of perception, and in its latest manifestation in the Saatchi Gallery continues to catch the unwary with substantial empirical proof of what it really is.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "substantial proof", ensure that each piece of evidence is clearly explained and directly relevant to the claim you are supporting. Avoid ambiguity by providing context for each piece of evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial proof" when the evidence is merely suggestive or circumstantial. Reserve this phrase for situations where the evidence is compelling and directly supports the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial proof" functions as a noun phrase where "substantial" modifies the noun "proof". It indicates a significant or considerable amount of evidence that supports a claim or argument. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial proof" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a significant amount of convincing evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. It finds frequent use in news, academic, and scientific contexts to assert the validity of a statement by highlighting the presence of strong supporting evidence. When using "substantial proof", ensure the evidence is clearly explained and directly relevant, avoiding its use when the evidence is weak or merely suggestive. Alternatives such as "considerable evidence" or "significant evidence" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable evidence

Emphasizes the amount and importance of the evidence.

significant evidence

Highlights the importance and impact of the evidence.

ample evidence

Focuses on the abundance and sufficiency of the evidence.

solid evidence

Highlights the reliability and firmness of the evidence.

conclusive evidence

Indicates that the evidence is decisive and leaves no doubt.

cogent evidence

Emphasizes the clarity and persuasiveness of the evidence.

compelling evidence

Focuses on the convincing and undeniable nature of the evidence.

irrefutable evidence

Highlights the impossibility of disproving the evidence.

demonstrable proof

Highlights the ability to show or demonstrate the proof clearly.

verifiable evidence

Emphasizes that the evidence can be checked and confirmed.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial proof" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial proof" to indicate that there is a significant amount of evidence supporting a claim. For example: "The prosecution presented "substantial proof" of the defendant's guilt".

What are some alternatives to "substantial proof"?

Alternatives to "substantial proof" include "considerable evidence", "significant evidence", or "ample evidence" depending on the specific context.

Is "substantial proof" the same as "substantial evidence"?

While closely related, "substantial evidence" generally refers to the overall body of facts presented, whereas "substantial proof" emphasizes the strength and convincing nature of the evidence in supporting a specific claim. They are often interchangeable, but the nuance lies in the emphasis.

What kind of evidence qualifies as "substantial proof"?

"Substantial proof" typically involves evidence that is reliable, directly relevant, and persuasive enough to convince a reasonable person of the truth of a claim. It goes beyond mere speculation or conjecture.