tentative evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"tentative evidence" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe evidence that is not conclusive or certain, but instead is uncertain or subject to change. Here is an example: "The detective had gathered some tentative evidence, but he knew he needed more to make an arrest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"An 'all clear' for the economy isn't guaranteed, but it adds to the tentative evidence of a recovery".

The New York Times

"Tentative evidence on the BoE's quantitative easing is moderately encouraging," says one working paper from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Guardian - Opinion

Four things: 1) There is tentative evidence in the new polls that Romney's surge may have peaked.

The New Yorker

Jackie Ballard, chief executive of the charity, welcomed the tentative evidence that England's high levels of dangerous drinking could finally be coming down.

The Guardian

The Bank's nine-member monetary policy committee last week decided to suspend its £200bn scheme of injecting money into the economy, amid tentative evidence of recovery.

The Guardian - Business

This was the first, albeit tentative, evidence that the university sector was still set for growth, despite the increasing costs faced by students.

The Guardian

That's not just because earnings growth remains weak but because there is tentative evidence that the great British job creation machine is slowing down.

The Guardian - Money

Traditionally, bonds should be sold, and equities bought, the dollar should appreciate – there is tentative evidence that markets are behaving 'normally' in response to these data.

The Guardian - Business

There is some tentative evidence that the tight labor market may be starting to push up compensation costs at a pace exceeding gains in productivity.

The New York Times

In the past two years, the CoGeNT experiment (based in the same mine as CDMS) and the CRESST experiment (at Gran Sasso) have reported similar tentative evidence.

The Guardian

A new study, released on Thursday, offers powerful if still tentative evidence that teacher-evaluation programs can play an important role.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "tentative evidence", clearly state the limitations and potential biases associated with the evidence to maintain transparency and avoid overstating its significance.

Common error

Avoid presenting "tentative evidence" as definitive proof. Always qualify your statements to reflect the uncertainty inherent in the evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative evidence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tentative" modifies the noun "evidence". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It indicates that the evidence is not yet fully confirmed or conclusive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tentative evidence" is a commonly used phrase to describe evidence that is preliminary and not yet conclusive. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and finds it used across various contexts, particularly in scientific research and news reporting. When using this phrase, it's important to acknowledge the limitations of the evidence. Alternatives include "preliminary findings" or "suggestive results", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Using "tentative evidence" appropriately ensures transparency and accuracy in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary proof

Focuses more on the early stage of the proof rather than the evidence itself.

initial indications

Highlights the beginning stages of a trend or pattern.

early signs

Emphasizes the nascent stage of development or occurrence.

suggestive findings

Highlights that the findings are not definitive but hint at something.

possible clues

Shifts the focus to the potential for discovery, rather than established evidence.

unconfirmed data

Stresses that the data has not been verified or validated yet.

experimental results

Frames the evidence within the context of an experiment and its inherent uncertainty.

inconclusive information

Focuses on the lack of a firm conclusion that can be drawn from the evidence.

emerging details

Focuses more on the gradual revelation of information.

undeveloped fact

Highlights the nascent and incomplete nature of a fact that is still taking shape.

FAQs

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

You can use "tentative evidence" to describe findings that suggest a possible conclusion, but require further investigation. For example, "The study provided "tentative evidence" that the new drug may reduce symptoms".

What is a more formal alternative to "tentative evidence"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "preliminary findings", "suggestive results", or "initial indications" to convey a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone. Each phrase carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "tentative evidence" the same as "conclusive evidence"?

No, "tentative evidence" and "conclusive evidence" are not the same. "Tentative evidence" suggests a possibility that needs further confirmation, while conclusive evidence provides a definitive proof or result.

What can I say instead of "tentative evidence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "preliminary data", "suggestive evidence", or "exploratory evidence" to convey the same idea of uncertain or early-stage findings.