What is evidence? Pronunciation and usage in English

evidence means . Learn how to pronounce and use evidence through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of evidence

evidencenoun

/ˈɛvɪd(ə)ns/
Definition & pronunciation of evidence

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "evidence" in English. It's a tricky one for some! Here's a detailed guide:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "ev": This is pronounced like the "ev" in "even." Think of the vowel sound in "heave." It's a short, almost breathy "eh" sound.
  • "i": This is pronounced like the "i" in "bit." A short, clear "i" sound.
  • "dence": This is the trickiest part. It's pronounced like “dens.” Crucially, the ‘d’ is silent.

2. Putting it Together:

So, you’re saying: "eh-vi-dens"

3. Emphasis:

The emphasis falls on the first syllable: "eh-vi-dens.”

4. Key Tips & Common Mistakes:

To help me tailor the explanation further, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • What part of the pronunciation are you finding particularly difficult?

Usage and examples with the word evidence in English

Let's break down how to use the word "evidence" effectively in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different nuances.

1. Core Meaning: Proof or Facts

At its most basic, "evidence" refers to something that tends to prove or establish the truth of a claim or fact. It's about supporting a statement, idea, or conclusion.

  • Example: "The police found fingerprints at the scene, providing evidence of the suspect's presence."
  • Example: "The lawyer presented several documents as evidence to support his client's innocence."

2. Different Types of Evidence

"Evidence" comes in various forms. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Physical Evidence: Tangible objects that can be examined.
    • Examples: Fingerprints, DNA, a weapon, a photograph, a document, a piece of clothing.
  • Testimonial Evidence: Statements made by witnesses.
    • Example: "The witness’s testimony served as key evidence in the trial."
  • Circumstantial Evidence: Evidence that suggests something is true, but doesn't directly prove it. It requires an inference.
    • Example: "Finding a muddy boot outside a house could be circumstantial evidence of a burglary, but it's not definitive proof."
  • Forensic Evidence: Scientific evidence used in criminal investigations. (Often overlaps with physical evidence)
    • Example: "The forensic team analyzed the blood samples as evidence."
  • Anecdotal Evidence: Personal stories or experiences; often less reliable than other types of evidence.
    • Example: “His evidence was simply a personal story about how the product helped him – not scientifically sound.”

3. Grammatical Usage

  • Evidence (noun): This is the most common usage. It’s a singular noun.
    • Example: “The evidence is overwhelming.”
  • Evident (adjective): Means clearly seen or understood. It describes something appearing as evidence.
    • Example: “It was evident from his expression that he was upset.”
  • Evidence (verb – less common): To provide evidence or to be apparent.
    • Example: “The new research evidence supports the theory.” (Here, it's providing evidence.)
    • Example: “The mistake was evident to everyone.” (Here, it's being apparent.)

4. Phrases Using “Evidence”

  • Gather evidence: To collect information to support a claim.
  • Present evidence: To introduce evidence in a legal setting or discussion.
  • Strong evidence: Evidence that is convincing and reliable.
  • Weak evidence: Evidence that is not convincing or reliable.
  • Admissible evidence: Evidence that can be used in a court of law.
  • Lack of evidence: The absence of proof.

5. Examples in Context:

  • “The detective carefully examined the evidence at the crime scene.”
  • “The scientists conducted experiments to gather evidence about the new drug.”
  • “The report presented evidence of a significant increase in sales.”
  • “His reaction was evident – he immediately denied the accusation.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "evidence" in? (e.g., a legal document, a scientific report, a casual conversation, a piece of writing?)
  • Are there any specific sentences you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word evidence

Idioms of the word evidence

(on) the balance of evidence/probability
(formal)(considering) the evidence on both sides of an argument, to find the most likely reason for or result of something
  • The balance of evidence suggests the Liberal party's decline began before the First World War.
  • The coroner thought that on the balance of probabilities, the pilot had suffered a stroke just before the crash.
(be) in evidence
(to be) present and clearly seen
  • The police were much in evidence at today's demonstration.
  • a trend that has been much in evidence in recent years

Practice with vocabulary evidence

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The research team is meticulously reviewing all the available ______ to substantiate their hypothesis.
  2. Without strong ______ of a security breach, the company cannot initiate a full-scale investigation.
  3. The consultant's ______ was persuasive, but it failed to address the practical challenges of implementation.
  4. Analyzing the vast amount of ______ gathered from user surveys will take several weeks.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following can serve as valid ______ to support a scientific claim? a) Anecdotal stories b) Statistical data c) Peer-reviewed studies d) Personal opinions e) Expert testimony

  2. When presenting findings to stakeholders, what qualities should the ______ possess to be convincing and reliable? a) Clarity b) Subjectivity c) Irrelevance d) Verifiability e) Objectivity

  3. Which of these phrases correctly uses the word 'evidence' in a grammatically sound way? a) There were strong evidences of fraud. b) We found no evidence to suggest wrongdoing. c) The evidence points towards a solution. d) They collected an evidence. e) This is compelling evidence for our case.

  4. After reviewing all the facts and arguments, what did the jury finally arrive at? a) A verdict b) An assumption c) A hypothesis d) A judgment e) A conjecture

  5. What forms the fundamental ______ for a well-reasoned argument or theory? a) Speculation b) Belief c) Premises d) Foundations e) Opinions

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The data gathered clearly showed that the new marketing strategy was effective. (Rewrite using "evidence")
  2. There was nothing to suggest that the suspect was involved in the crime. (Rewrite using "evidence")
  3. The manager's decision was based on a thorough analysis of all the facts available. (Rewrite without using "evidence")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. evidence
  2. evidence
  3. argument
  4. data

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Statistical data, c) Peer-reviewed studies, e) Expert testimony
  2. a) Clarity, d) Verifiability, e) Objectivity
  3. b) We found no evidence to suggest wrongdoing., c) The evidence points towards a solution., e) This is compelling evidence for our case.
  4. a) A verdict, d) A judgment
  5. c) Premises, d) Foundations

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The gathered data provided clear evidence of the new marketing strategy's effectiveness.
  2. There was no evidence to link the suspect to the crime.
  3. The manager's decision was based on a thorough analysis of all the available information.

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