evidential

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   relating to evidence, or able to be used as evidence in a court or argument.

   Grammar: Usually comes before a noun, as in 'evidential value' or 'evidential hearing'.

   Patterns

   • evidential value
   • evidential support
   • evidential basis

   The judge considered the evidential value of the witness's statement.

   There is no evidential basis for that claim.

   The report provides evidential support for the new policy.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   in some languages, relating to a verb form that shows how the speaker knows something.

   Grammar: Used in linguistics before nouns like 'marker' or 'system'.

   Patterns

   • evidential marker
   • evidential system

   Many languages have evidential markers that show whether the speaker saw the event or only heard about it.

   The evidential system in that language is very complex.

Common combinations

evidential value

The evidential value of the recording was questioned by the defense.

evidential support

The theory lacks evidential support.

evidential basis

There is an evidential basis for the decision.

evidential hearing

The court held an evidential hearing to examine the documents.

Synonyms and how they differ

probative

A legal term meaning 'tending to prove something'; it is more specific and formal than 'evidential'.

documentary

Describes evidence in the form of documents; 'evidential' is broader and can refer to any kind of evidence.

Word family

evidence noun

Facts or objects that show something is true.

evident adjective

Easy to see or understand; obvious.

evidently adverb

Clearly; obviously.

Commonly confused: evidential or evident?

Practice

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