we need proof

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we need proof" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting evidence or verification of a claim or statement. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, we need proof that the funding has been secured."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Analyst Anthony Codling at Jefferies said: If ever we need proof that the housing market is recovering, we have it now.

The Guardian - Business

"We need proof, and what we proved was an individual who was in that van was the son of a leading Hezbollah patriot".

The New York Times

But Dr Olivier Rabin, Wada's director of science, said: "We need proof we can transfer such results to humans".

BBC

We need proof points, and if the proof points are there we have got 10 to 50 or 60 million available capital for each company".

TechCrunch

"We need proof," she said.

Huffington Post

But most of us realize we need proof of income for virtually everything.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"If ever we needed proof, it was this election," he said.

The New York Times

"As if ever we needed proof that iceberg lettuce is necessary," said Marion, who early in her career had been a spokeswoman for the oft-maligned leaves.

The New York Times - Magazine

If ever we needed proof that Vince Cable's sale of Royal Mail was done far too cheaply at 330p a share, yesterday we learned that the second batch of the taxpayer's stock was offloaded at 500p.

Independent

Commissioner Bud Selig, stepping forward with the hardware at the end, was given a fat round of boos, thus proving — if we needed proof — that the right guys and right crowd won this thing.

The New Yorker

25, 26 In this study, a standard patient dose was chosen as we needed proof of concept that it is possible to replicate a physiological pattern of replacement and safety had to be of foremost importance.

Clinical Endocrinology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we need proof", ensure the context clearly indicates what claim or statement requires verification. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "we need proof" without a clear subject or object. Vague statements can confuse the audience. Instead of saying "we need proof", specify "we need proof that the system works efficiently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we need proof" functions as a declarative statement expressing a requirement for verification or validation. It explicitly states the need for evidence to support a claim or assertion. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we need proof" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that expresses the necessity for verification or validation. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and versatile statement applicable across various contexts. Its neutral register allows for use in both formal and informal settings, as evidenced by its presence in news media, wikis, and scientific publications. To ensure clarity, specify what requires verification when using the phrase. While alternatives such as "evidence is required" or "verification is necessary" exist, "we need proof" remains a direct and effective way to convey the need for substantiation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence is required

Emphasizes a formal requirement for evidence.

verification is necessary

Highlights the necessity of verifying something.

provide supporting documentation

Requests formal paperwork as evidence.

we must have confirmation

Focuses on obtaining confirmation, suggesting a prior expectation.

substantiation is needed

Indicates the need for concrete support or validation.

let's see the facts

Focuses on uncovering and examining factual information.

establish the facts

Highlights the need to make facts concrete.

show me the data

An informal request for specific data as proof.

prove it to me

A direct and sometimes challenging request for proof.

I need to see it to believe it

Expresses skepticism and a need for visual or direct proof.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we need proof"?

You can use alternatives like "evidence is required", "verification is necessary", or "substantiation is needed" depending on the context.

How to use "we need proof" in a sentence?

You can use "we need proof" when requesting verification or confirmation of a statement. For example, "Before investing, we need proof of the company's financial stability".

What's the difference between "we need proof" and "we need evidence"?

While both phrases indicate a need for verification, "we need evidence" is often used in legal or formal contexts, while "we need proof" can be used more broadly. They are largely interchangeable, but consider the context.

Is it correct to say "we need to proof" instead of "we need proof"?

No, "we need to proof" is grammatically incorrect. "Proof" is a noun in this context, so the correct phrase is "we need proof". The word "proof" can also be used as a verb, but in a different situation i.e. "proof the dough".