unless there is evidence to the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unless there is evidence to the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a statement or assumption holds true unless proven otherwise by evidence. Example: "We will proceed with the project as planned unless there is evidence to the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The organisation presumes people outside Australia are not Australians unless there is evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian

"We assume that citizens are telling the truth unless there is evidence to the contrary.

The Economist

Where the boundary is a hedge, it is assumed that, unless there is evidence to the contrary, the boundary line runs through the centre of the hedge.

The Guardian - Money

(2) For purposes of this section, the date of receipt of the reconsideration is presumed to be 5 calendar days after the date of the notice of the reconsidered determination, unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Cornell University

The government said Tuesday that it had accepted "at face value" as possible evidence of a crime photographs that seem to show British soldiers beating and humiliating a hooded Iraqi prisoner, "unless there is evidence to the contrary".

The New York Times

The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not use a segregation policy, generally presuming that H.I.V.-positive inmates can suitably be housed and placed in programs with other inmates unless there is evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Mr Blank told reporters after Trinity Mirror's AGM yesterday that "unless there was evidence to the contrary" the focus should be on investigating rogue elements within the armed forces and not the veracity of the photographs.

The Guardian

"You're going to put cops out on the street, you're going to have to sort of give them the benefit of the doubt, unless there's evidence to the contrary, that they're acting in good faith," he said.

The New York Times

The method was fairly straightforward: Unless there was evidence to the contrary, mixtures of chemicals that act on the same organ were to be treated in an additive manner using what they called the "additive mixture" formula (ACGIH 1963).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Patients were categorized as non-Hispanic unless there was evidence to the contrary (e.g., reference to Hispanic ethnicity in the history and physical section of the medical record).

BMC Cancer

But he suggested there was evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unless there is evidence to the contrary" to establish a default position in arguments or discussions, streamlining the process by focusing on exceptions rather than constantly reiterating the base assumption.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "unless there is evidence to the contrary" can make your writing sound overly formal or legalistic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "otherwise" or "if not proven" in casual settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unless there is evidence to the contrary" functions as a qualifying clause. It introduces a condition that, if met, would negate or alter the main statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

42%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unless there is evidence to the contrary" serves as a qualifying phrase that establishes a default assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it's frequently used across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral to formal, it should be used judiciously in informal contexts to avoid sounding overly legalistic. Consider using simpler alternatives like "otherwise" or "if not proven" in such cases. Remember that using the phrase sets the stage for a clear understanding that deviations from an assumption require justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent evidence to the contrary

Replaces "unless there is" with "absent", creating a more concise phrasing, but retains the core meaning of lacking contradictory evidence.

without any evidence to suggest otherwise

Focuses on the absence of evidence that contradicts the initial assumption, using a slightly more descriptive structure.

if not proven otherwise

Simplifies the phrase to a conditional statement, emphasizing the possibility of the assumption being disproven.

unless it's disproven

A more direct and concise alternative, highlighting the potential for the initial assumption to be invalidated.

barring evidence to the contrary

Substitutes "unless there is" with "barring", which offers a slightly more formal tone while retaining the meaning.

except when proven false

Emphasizes the potential falsification of the initial assumption as the exception to the rule.

in the absence of contradictory evidence

Highlights the lack of conflicting evidence as the basis for accepting the initial assumption.

if not contradicted by evidence

Emphasizes that the assumption holds true as long as it is not challenged by opposing evidence.

save for evidence to the contrary

Replaces "unless there is" with "save for", providing a slightly more literary or formal alternative.

without conflicting evidence

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea, focusing on the absence of conflicting information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "unless there is evidence to the contrary" for brevity?

You can use shorter alternatives such as "otherwise", "if not", or "absent evidence to the contrary" to convey the same meaning more concisely.

Is "unless there is evidence to the contrary" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, it might sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider using alternatives like "if not proven otherwise" or "otherwise" for a more natural tone.

What's the difference between "unless there is evidence to the contrary" and "in the absence of evidence"?

"Unless there is evidence to the contrary" implies a default assumption that holds true until proven otherwise. "In the absence of evidence" simply states that there is no evidence supporting a claim, without necessarily implying a prior assumption.

How to use "unless there is evidence to the contrary" in a sentence?

Use it to introduce a condition that, if met, would invalidate a previous statement or assumption. For example: "We will proceed as planned, "unless there is evidence to the contrary"."