Explanation at your level:
Evidence means proof. If you say you have a cat, the cat is your evidence. It shows that you are telling the truth. You use it to show people that something is real.
When you want to show that something is true, you need evidence. For example, if you say it rained, the wet grass is the evidence. It helps people believe you.
In English, evidence is a very common word for 'proof.' We use it when we talk about crimes, science, or even arguments. Remember, it is uncountable. You have 'some evidence,' not 'an evidence.'
The term evidence is crucial in academic and legal contexts. It refers to the facts that support a conclusion. Native speakers often use it with verbs like 'produce,' 'present,' or 'find.' It is a formal word, so avoid using it in very casual text messages.
At this level, you should understand the nuance of evidence versus 'proof.' While often used interchangeably, 'evidence' is the material collected, whereas 'proof' is the final confirmation. It is widely used in investigative journalism, research, and high-stakes debate.
Evidence carries significant weight in intellectual discourse. It implies an empirical foundation for claims. In literature, it can refer to signs or tokens of a deeper truth. Mastery involves understanding its collocations in legal settings, such as 'circumstantial evidence' versus 'direct evidence.'
Word in 30 Seconds
- Evidence is proof of a claim.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is used in legal and scientific contexts.
- It comes from the Latin for 'to see clearly'.
Think of evidence as the bridge between a guess and a fact. When you say something happened, people usually ask, 'How do you know?' The answer to that question is your evidence.
In everyday life, it might be a photo or a witness. In science, it is data collected from experiments. It is the proof that makes an argument strong and believable.
The word evidence comes from the Latin word evidentia, which means 'obviousness' or 'clearness.' It is rooted in evidere, meaning 'to see clearly' or 'to make plain.'
Historically, it moved from French into English in the 14th century. It originally meant the quality of being plain to the eye. Over time, it evolved to refer specifically to the things that make a truth 'plain' to our minds.
You will hear evidence used most often in formal or professional settings like courtrooms, laboratories, or academic papers. It is a non-count noun, meaning we don't say 'an evidence' or 'evidences' in standard English.
Instead, we use phrases like 'a piece of evidence' or 'some evidence.' It pairs well with verbs like provide, gather, or examine.
1. In evidence: Clearly visible or present (e.g., 'His nervousness was clearly in evidence').
2. Turn state's evidence: To testify against accomplices in a crime (e.g., 'He turned state's evidence to get a lighter sentence').
3. Give evidence: To provide testimony in court (e.g., 'She was called to give evidence').
4. Weight of evidence: The total amount of proof (e.g., 'The weight of evidence supports the theory').
5. Admissible evidence: Evidence that a court allows to be used (e.g., 'The judge ruled the confession was not admissible evidence').
Evidence is an uncountable noun. You cannot make it plural by adding an 's.' If you need to count it, use 'a piece of evidence' or 'pieces of evidence.'
Pronunciation: UK /ˈev.ɪ.dəns/ and US /ˈev.ə.dəns/. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with 'residence' and 'precedence.'
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'video'!
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'e' sound.
Clear 'e' sounds.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'd'
- Stress on second syllable
- Adding an 's' at the end
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in news.
Essential for essays.
Used in debates.
Used in TV/Movies.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Evidence is uncountable.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The evidence is clear.
Article Usage
The evidence is here.
Examples by Level
The cat is evidence.
The cat is the proof.
Simple subject-verb-complement.
The photo is evidence.
Is this the evidence?
I have the evidence.
She found the evidence.
The evidence is here.
We need more evidence.
That is good evidence.
The police found evidence.
Do you have any evidence?
The evidence is clear.
He provided new evidence.
There is no evidence.
Look at the evidence.
The evidence supports him.
Science needs evidence.
The detective gathered evidence.
There is little evidence to support that.
The evidence was presented in court.
Scientists are looking for evidence.
She lacks evidence for her claim.
The evidence points to him.
We need concrete evidence.
The evidence is quite convincing.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence.
There is growing evidence of climate change.
He was convicted on the basis of the evidence.
The evidence suggests a different outcome.
We must weigh the evidence carefully.
There is no admissible evidence.
The evidence is purely circumstantial.
They suppressed the evidence.
The study provides empirical evidence.
The evidence is incontrovertible.
He was exonerated by new evidence.
The evidence contradicts the initial report.
We are examining the forensic evidence.
The evidence is consistent with the theory.
There is a lack of anecdotal evidence.
The evidence was corroborated by witnesses.
The weight of evidence is overwhelming.
Her behavior was evidence of her guilt.
The evidence was deemed inadmissible.
They are collating the evidence for trial.
The evidence is manifest in his work.
We must synthesize the available evidence.
The evidence is subject to interpretation.
He presented a body of evidence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"In evidence"
Visible or apparent
His joy was in evidence.
neutral"Turn state's evidence"
Testify against a partner
He turned state's evidence.
legal"Give evidence"
Provide testimony
She gave evidence in court.
formal"Weight of evidence"
The total proof
The weight of evidence is high.
formal"Admissible evidence"
Allowed in court
That is not admissible evidence.
legal"Circumstantial evidence"
Indirect proof
It was only circumstantial evidence.
legalEasily Confused
Similar meaning.
Proof is final; evidence is supporting.
Evidence leads to proof.
Both are hints.
Clue is for puzzles; evidence is for truth.
A clue is a small piece of evidence.
Both are facts.
Data is numbers; evidence is broader.
Data is a type of evidence.
Both are used in court.
Testimony is spoken; evidence is physical.
Testimony is a form of evidence.
Sentence Patterns
The evidence shows that...
The evidence shows that he was there.
There is evidence of...
There is evidence of damage.
Provide evidence for...
Provide evidence for your claim.
Gather evidence about...
We gathered evidence about the case.
Based on the evidence...
Based on the evidence, he is innocent.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Evidence is uncountable.
Cannot use 'an' with uncountable nouns.
Use 'much' or 'a lot of'.
Always singular verb.
Avoid using as a verb.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a courtroom.
Native Usage
Use 'provide evidence'.
Legal drama
Watch Law & Order.
Uncountable
Never add 's'.
Stress
Stress the first syllable.
Avoid 'evidences'
It is a common mistake.
Latin root
From 'videre' (to see).
Context
Read news articles.
Articles
Use 'the' or 'some'.
Synonyms
Use 'proof' for emphasis.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
E-V-I-D-E-N-C-E: Every Visible Item Does Evidence Now Create Everything.
Visual Association
A magnifying glass looking at a footprint.
Word Web
Challenge
Find three pieces of evidence in your room that you are a student.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To see clearly
Cultural Context
None
Used heavily in legal dramas and news.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Courtroom
- admissible evidence
- present evidence
- give evidence
Science Lab
- empirical evidence
- gather data
- support theory
School Debate
- cite evidence
- lack of evidence
- strong evidence
Daily Life
- clear evidence
- no evidence
- find evidence
Conversation Starters
"What is the best evidence you have seen for something?"
"Do you think evidence is always enough to convince people?"
"How does a scientist use evidence?"
"Why is evidence important in a court?"
"Have you ever changed your mind because of new evidence?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to find evidence for an argument.
Why do people ignore evidence sometimes?
If you were a detective, what evidence would you look for?
Write about a mystery and the evidence you found.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is uncountable.
Yes, that is the correct way to count it.
They are similar, but proof is usually stronger.
E-V-I-D-E-N-C-E.
It is neutral to formal.
It is rarely used as a verb.
Evident.
Evidently.
Test Yourself
The police found the ___.
Evidence is uncountable.
Which is correct?
Evidence is uncountable.
Evidence can be pluralized as 'evidences'.
It is an uncountable noun.
Word
Meaning
They are synonyms.
Standard sentence structure.
Score: /5
Summary
Evidence is the information that turns a simple claim into a proven fact.
- Evidence is proof of a claim.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is used in legal and scientific contexts.
- It comes from the Latin for 'to see clearly'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a courtroom.
Native Usage
Use 'provide evidence'.
Legal drama
Watch Law & Order.
Uncountable
Never add 's'.
Example
Is there any evidence that he broke the window?
Related Content
See it in Videos
5:02
How did detectives solve the case of the bloody fingerprints? - Theodore E. Yeshion
26:46
Every Cold Open From Season 1 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine
"Is there any evidence that he broke the window?"
1:28
Critical Incident: Death at the Border | Official Trailer | HBO
"Is there any evidence that he broke the window?"
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More Law words
abfinor
C1A formal term denoting the absolute and final settlement of a legal dispute or the conclusive discharge of a financial obligation. It signifies the definitive point at which all parties are released from further claims or responsibilities regarding a specific matter.
abfortious
C1To abfortious is to strengthen a logical argument or a formal claim by providing additional, even more compelling evidence. It describes the process of reinforcing a conclusion so that it follows with even greater certainty than initially established.
abide
C1To accept or act in accordance with a rule, decision, or recommendation. It can also mean to tolerate or endure a person or situation, typically used in negative constructions.
abjugcy
C1The state or act of being unyoked or released from a bond, burden, or state of servitude. It describes a liberation from metaphorical yokes such as oppressive systems, heavy responsibilities, or restrictive contracts.
abolished
B2To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution, especially one that has been in existence for a long time. The act of abolishing something is a decisive and official termination, often done by law or through an executive order.
abrogate
C1To formally repeal, abolish, or do away with a law, right, or formal agreement. It typically refers to an authoritative or official action taken to end the validity of a legal or political document.
abscond
C1To depart suddenly and secretly, often to avoid detection or arrest for an unlawful action. It is typically used when someone leaves a place with something they are not supposed to have, such as stolen money or information.
absolve
C1To formally declare someone free from guilt, obligation, or punishment, especially after a legal proceeding or a religious confession. It suggests a complete release from the consequences or blame associated with an action.
accomplice
C1An accomplice is a person who helps someone else commit a crime or a dishonest act. This individual is legally or morally responsible for their involvement, even if they were not the primary person performing the act.
accord
C1A formal agreement or treaty between parties, or a state of harmony and consistency between different things. As a verb, it means to grant someone power or status, or to be consistent with a particular fact or rule.
