want of substantiation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "want of substantiation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where there is a lack of evidence or support for a claim or argument. Example: "The committee dismissed the proposal due to a want of substantiation for its claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Any telephonic report of full relief of prolapse in these subjects was ignored for the want of substantiation of the same by the supervising clinicians or physiotherapists.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Other bits of substantiation are even less plausible.

The New York Times - Arts

The suit, he said, was "about the amount of substantiation required to make a claim".

The New York Times

So generally you make sure you have every possible piece of substantiation on hand just in case.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We told the Church of Scientology International to ensure they held adequate evidence for any claims that viewers were likely to regard as objective and capable of substantiation".

The Guardian

The way President Trump himself frequently tweets dubitable information has, at least, further devalued the entire idea of substantiation, if not knowledge itself.

The New Yorker

A word that gets thrown around a lot in reference to these attacks, without much in the way of substantiation.

TechCrunch

The rational core for making projections suffers from a lack of substantiation.

She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation

It threw out a figure of 100,000 jobs created by Romney at Bain, a figure quickly questioned and incapable of substantiation.

Huffington Post

In general, the level of substantiation and the quality of evidence needed to make a structure/function claim are less than that needed to make a health claim.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The cellphone substantiation provision was needed because the Internal Revenue Service has strict, congressionally ordered rules requiring proof you made a donation if you want to take it as a tax deduction.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger and modern alternatives like "lack of evidence" or "absence of proof" for greater clarity and impact, especially in journalistic or less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "want of substantiation" if you're aiming for contemporary, easily understood language. The term "want" in this context is archaic and may confuse readers. Instead, opt for clearer phrases like "lack of evidence" to ensure your message is readily grasped.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "want of substantiation" functions as a noun phrase describing the absence of supporting evidence. It often appears in contexts where a claim, hypothesis, or statement lacks the necessary backing to be considered valid, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "want of substantiation" is a phrase that expresses the lack of evidence or proof for a claim, primarily used in formal contexts. While grammatically correct, its somewhat archaic nature and the availability of more modern synonyms like "lack of evidence" make it a less common choice in contemporary writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage but suggests considering alternative phrasing for increased clarity and impact. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, this phrase serves to cast doubt on unsubstantiated statements. When choosing this phrase, ensure your audience appreciates its formal register; otherwise, simpler alternatives may better suit your purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of evidence

Focuses directly on the absence of proof or supporting data, omitting the archaic "want" construction.

absence of proof

Emphasizes the complete non-existence of verification.

insufficient evidence

Highlights the inadequacy of the available evidence.

lack of corroboration

Emphasizes that there is no external source confirming/validating the statement.

unsupported claim

Shifts the focus to the claim itself not having backing.

unsubstantiated assertion

Similar to 'unsupported claim' but uses a more formal tone.

deficient in proof

Highlights the quality of being incomplete.

absence of verification

Similar to 'absence of proof', but more suitable in technical or scientific contexts.

lacking validation

Highlights the missing action of validating a statement.

without foundation

Implies the statement has no basis in fact or reality.

FAQs

What does "want of substantiation" mean?

The phrase "want of substantiation" means a lack of evidence or proof to support a claim or statement. It implies that something is missing the necessary backing to be considered valid or reliable.

How can I use "want of substantiation" in a sentence?

You can use "want of substantiation" in a sentence like this: "The committee rejected the proposal due to a clear "want of substantiation" for its ambitious claims."

What are some alternatives to "want of substantiation"?

Some alternatives to "want of substantiation" include "lack of evidence", "absence of proof", and "insufficient evidence". These phrases offer similar meanings but use more common vocabulary.

Is "want of substantiation" formal or informal?

"Want of substantiation" leans towards the more formal side. In many situations, using alternatives like "lack of evidence" or "absence of proof" may be more appropriate depending on the context.