validity

USAGE SUMMARY

'validity' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to the state of being legally acceptable or the power of being convincing or believable. Example sentence: It is important for business owners to consider the validity of their contracts before signing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The jury is still out – and no doubt they will have new evidence with this year's release in reaching an assessment of the validity of Pisa.

The Guardian

And if there are going to be a million new paths to sustainability for a million different artists, we'd best stop bickering amongst ourselves about the validity of each and every path these artists are stumbling down – or at least step out of the way if we can't lend a hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hearing is expected to go ahead in a fortnight and Mr Justice Brian Kerr said his ruling did not affect the current validity of the secretary of state's decision.

The Guardian

Helen Belcher, secretary of the Parliamentary Forum on Gender Identity, said GRCs, while an attempt to recognise the validity of gender transitions, often make things more difficult for transgender people.

The Guardian

"There's not a lot of face validity in that number of people having access – it seems high".

The Guardian

Williams launched a second challenge against the validity of the relevant provisions of this act and the payment of money to Scripture Union Queensland under the funding agreement.

The Guardian

Labor's finance spokesman, Tony Burke, said the legislation introduced by the former government after the first Williams ruling was "an interim measure designed to ensure the validity of funding for a large number of commonwealth programs".

The Guardian

While Google's decisions will seem reasonable enough to most, in the absence of real information about how representative these are, the arguments about the validity and application of the RTBF are impossible to evaluate with rigour.

The Guardian - Tech

Much of the data cited by student journals has no statistical validity.

The Guardian

The Court also upheld the validity of the designation decision and the direction decision.

The Guardian

Since scientists began to report a slower than expected rate of warming during the last decade, climate sceptics have latched on to the apparent dip in order to question the validity of climate models.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research, specify the type of "validity" you're addressing (e.g., internal, external, construct) to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "validity" when you mean "reliability". "Validity" refers to whether a measure accurately reflects what it's intended to measure, while reliability refers to the consistency of a measure.

Linguistic Context

The noun "validity" primarily functions to denote the state or quality of being valid, genuine, or legally acceptable. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in assessing the soundness of arguments, legal decisions, and research methodologies. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "validity" is a versatile noun denoting the state of being valid, authentic, or legally sound. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in assessing arguments, legal decisions, and research methodologies. Occurring frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts, "validity" is crucial for evaluating truthfulness and accuracy. While synonyms like "soundness" and "legitimacy" offer alternatives, understanding the specific nuance of "validity" ensures precise communication. When discussing research, specifying the type of "validity" is essential for clarity. Remember that "validity" differs from reliability, referring to the accuracy, not just the consistency, of a measure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soundness

Focuses on the reliability and logical consistency of something.

legitimacy

Emphasizes the lawfulness and acceptance of something based on established rules.

authenticity

Highlights the genuineness and originality of something.

accuracy

Stresses the correctness and precision of information or a measurement.

cogency

Refers to the quality of being convincing and well-reasoned.

effectuality

Highlights the effectiveness and capability to produce a desired result.

legal standing

Refers specifically to the legal acceptability or right to take action.

factual basis

Emphasizes the existence of supporting facts or evidence.

probative value

Focuses on the extent to which something serves as proof or evidence.

relevance

Indicates how closely connected or appropriate something is to the matter at hand.

FAQs

How can I use "validity" in a sentence?

You can use "validity" to refer to the state of being legally or factually sound, as in "The court questioned the validity of the contract." or "Researchers examined the validity of the study's findings."

What are some synonyms for "validity"?

Some synonyms for "validity" include "soundness", "legitimacy", and "authenticity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does "validity" differ from "reliability" in research?

"Validity" refers to whether a study measures what it intends to measure, while "reliability" refers to the consistency of the measurements. A study can be reliable without being valid, but it cannot be valid without being reliable to some extent.

What factors can threaten the "validity" of a research study?

Factors that can threaten "validity" include selection bias, confounding variables, measurement error, and lack of control groups. Addressing these threats is crucial for ensuring the credibility of research findings.