unable to evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to evidence" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that someone cannot provide proof or demonstrate something. Example: "The researcher was unable to evidence the claims made in the study due to a lack of data."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That said, it would be unwise to use these data to conclude that the amplitude effect that we observed in the pro-cue trials does not index some TSR-like process, since we were unable to evidence such a process behaviourally in this condition.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Egypt's government has been unable to provide evidence linking the Brotherhood to the attack.

The Guardian

But they have been unable to muster evidence to prove their point.

The New York Times

He said he had been unable to find evidence to substantiate the claim.

The Guardian

The government has been unable to provide evidence linking the Brotherhood to the attack.

The Guardian

Freeze was unable to find evidence of a functioning NGLY1 gene.

The New Yorker

Mr. Delmar said the agency was unable to find evidence to support those charges and therefore closed the file.

The New York Times

The C.I.A. was unable to produce evidence proving that the information had been passed to the bureau.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately the case was dropped when it became clear that Jane would be unable to give evidence.

The Guardian

In mock trials, for example, jurors are frequently unable to disregard evidence they are later told is inadmissible.

The Economist

The TV match official, Trevor Fisher, was unable to find evidence to substantiate the claim and it is understood that no one will be cited.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "unable to prove" or "unable to demonstrate" for better clarity and acceptance, especially in less formal contexts. While "unable to evidence" is grammatically sound, it may strike some readers as unusual.

Common error

Avoid using uncommon or overly formal vocabulary simply to sound sophisticated. In many cases, simpler and more direct phrasing such as "unable to prove" or "could not show" will be more effective in conveying your message clearly and concisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to evidence" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied subject, indicating a lack of capacity or capability to provide or present evidence. Ludwig identifies contexts where this phrase is used to describe a lack of proof or demonstration.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to evidence" signifies a lack of capacity to provide proof. While grammatically correct, it's less common than alternatives like "unable to prove" or "unable to demonstrate", as highlighted by Ludwig. This infrequency can make it sound somewhat formal or even awkward in certain contexts. Ludwig suggests that while acceptable, simpler phrasing might be more effective for clarity. Therefore, while "unable to evidence" isn't wrong, consider your audience and the desired tone before using it; more common alternatives may better serve your communication goals. Ludwig's AI highlights that this phrase is found more often in scientific and news contexts but might be less suitable for informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to demonstrate

Uses a more common synonym for "evidence", making it sound more natural.

unable to prove

Replaces "evidence" with "prove", which is a more direct and frequently used term.

failed to provide evidence

Emphasizes the failure to supply proof, rather than the inability.

could not substantiate

Uses a more formal and academic term for providing support.

lacked the evidence to show

Focuses on the absence of supporting information to present.

could not validate

Suggests that the proof needed to confirm something was missing.

incapable of evidencing

Uses a more formal phrasing with "incapable", which is slightly stronger than "unable".

no evidence could be found

Shifts the focus to the absence of evidence itself, rather than the actor's inability.

unable to offer substantiation

Replaces "evidence" with "substantiation", adding a layer of formality.

couldn't produce evidence

Emphasizes the act of creating or presenting evidence, rather than the overall capability.

FAQs

What does "unable to evidence" mean?

The phrase "unable to evidence" means that someone cannot provide proof or demonstrate something with evidence. It's similar to saying they are "unable to prove" or "unable to demonstrate" something.

What can I say instead of "unable to evidence"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to prove", "unable to demonstrate", or "failed to provide evidence" depending on the context.

Is "unable to evidence" grammatically correct?

Yes, "unable to evidence" is grammatically correct, but it is less common and may sound awkward to some readers. It is better to use the alternative phrasing like "unable to prove".

When is it appropriate to use "unable to evidence"?

While grammatically correct, "unable to evidence" might be most appropriate in formal or scientific writing where a precise tone is desired. In most other contexts, alternatives like "unable to demonstrate" may be preferred for their clarity.