trace of evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"trace of evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a small amount of something that can act as proof or support for something else. For example, "The police team found a trace of evidence that the crime had taken place in the empty warehouse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Most of those cases will settle discreetly, with no trace of evidence in court files or Finra records.

The New York Times

The witness said there was also no trace of evidence of a collision on April's bike, adding: "This vehicle weighs two tonnes.

Independent

Green explains that a serial arsonist is targeting the British aristocracy, burning his victims alive while leaving no trace of evidence.

Wikipedia

When disposing of thing, do so in a manner that they will leave no trace of evidence and cannot be found.

WikiHow

Girls are usually back stabbers, name callers, and put-downers, they find little ways to get you back, without a trace of evidence pointing to themselves, who actually did it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He said Mafiaboy was caught because he was unsophisticated and left traces of evidence.

The New York Times

Treating each painting as a crime scene, in which an artist has left behind traces of evidence, Biro has tried to render objective what has historically been subjective.

The New Yorker

"The momentum in service sector activity is, of course, not spectacular, but there are at least traces of evidence that conditions are gradually improving," said Leif Eskesen, HSBC's chief economist for India and Southeast Asia.

The New York Times

Dreaming in Spanish is sadly one of the last remaining traces of evidence that Spanish was once my native language, my mother tongue.

Huffington Post

We next monitored the current trace for evidence of downward deflections indicative of action currents.

Biological Procedures Online

The trial of Bridger, 47, heard from forensic scientist Roderick Stewart who told the jury there was not a trace of "physical evidence" either on Bridger's Land Rover or on April's bike to back up Bridger's claim that there had been a collision.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trace of evidence", ensure the context clearly establishes what the evidence is meant to support. For example, "A trace of evidence suggested the suspect had been at the scene."

Common error

Avoid using "trace of evidence" when stronger or more conclusive evidence exists. Using it in such cases can undermine the credibility of your statement. Instead, use a more appropriate phrase like "compelling evidence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trace of evidence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a minimal or slight amount of something that suggests the existence or occurrence of something else. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trace of evidence" is a noun phrase used to denote a minimal amount of proof or indication. As verified by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and employed across various domains, notably news, science, and wiki sources. While not a strong assertion, it serves to highlight a preliminary clue or finding that may warrant further investigation. Related phrases include "hint of proof" and "suggestion of evidence", each offering subtle variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, avoid overstating its significance and ensure contextual clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of proof

Replaces "trace" with "hint" and "evidence" with "proof", both synonymous in this context. Implies a subtle indication.

scintilla of proof

"Scintilla" suggests an even smaller amount than "trace", emphasizing the minimal nature of the evidence.

suggestion of evidence

Focuses on the indicative nature, implying the evidence only hints at something.

iota of evidence

"Iota" represents a very small quantity, highlighting the insignificance of the evidence.

vestige of proof

"Vestige" indicates a remaining sign of something that once existed, similar to a trace.

whisper of evidence

"Whisper" emphasizes the subtlety and faintness of the evidence.

faint indication

Shifts focus to the indication being weak or unclear.

slight sign

Highlights the minimal and noticeable nature of proof.

minimal indication of proof

Explicitly states the indication is minimal in nature.

small amount of proof

Focuses on the quantifiable aspect of proof, emphasizing it is limited.

FAQs

How can I use "trace of evidence" in a sentence?

Use "trace of evidence" to indicate a very small amount of proof or indication. For example, "The detective found a "trace of evidence" linking the suspect to the crime scene."

What can I say instead of "trace of evidence"?

You can use alternatives like "hint of proof", "suggestion of evidence", or "slight sign" depending on the context.

Is "trace of evidence" a strong statement?

No, "trace of evidence" implies that the evidence is minimal and potentially inconclusive. It suggests the need for further investigation or corroborating information.

Can "trace of evidence" be misleading?

Yes, if presented without proper context. It's important to acknowledge the limited nature of a ""trace of evidence"" and avoid overstating its significance.