Examples & Evidence Vocabulary

to serve as an example of; illustrate

“This case exemplifies the problem we're facing.”

Origin: Latin exemplificare `to illustrate` (from exemplum `example` + facere `to make`)

to explain or make something clear by using examples

“Illustrate your point with a specific example.”

Origin: Latin illustrare `to light up, make clear` (from in- `upon` + lustrare `to illuminate`)

to provide evidence to support or prove the truth of

“Can you substantiate these claims with data?”

Origin: Latin substantia `essence, substance` + -ate

to confirm or give support to a statement or finding

“Multiple sources corroborate this finding.”

Origin: Latin corroborare `to strengthen` (from cor- `together` + roborare `to make strong`)

to clearly show the existence or truth of something

“The results demonstrate a clear pattern.”

Origin: Latin demonstrare `to point out` (from de- `completely` + monstrare `to show`)

to check or prove the validity or accuracy of

“We need to validate these assumptions.”

Origin: Latin validus `strong, effective` + -ate

to make sure or demonstrate that something is true

“Verify the information before publishing.”

Origin: Latin verificare `to make true` (from verus `true` + facere `to make`)

to prove or show something to be true or genuine

“Can you authenticate the source of this data?”

Origin: Greek authentikos `original, genuine` (from authentes `one who does things himself`)

to quote or refer to as evidence or justification

“Cite your sources when making factual claims.”

Origin: Latin citare `to summon, urge` (from ciere `to set in motion`)

to mention or refer to something as support

“Reference the documentation for more details.”

Origin: Latin referre `to carry back` (from re- `back` + ferre `to bear`)

to represent as or provide a concrete example of

“Instantiate the abstract concept with a real-world case.”

Origin: Latin instantia `presence, urgency` + -ate

to display or show clearly; evidence

“The issues manifest in several ways.”

Origin: Latin manifestus `caught in the act, evident` (from manus `hand` + -festus `struck`)

to reveal the presence of; indicate

“The data evinces a strong correlation.”

Origin: Latin evincere `to overcome, prove` (from e- `out` + vincere `to conquer`)

to provide or serve as clear evidence of

“The results attest to the method's effectiveness.”

Origin: Latin attestari `to bear witness` (from ad- `to` + testari `to witness`)

based on observation or experience rather than theory

“We need empirical evidence, not speculation.”

Origin: Greek empeirikos `experienced` (from empeiria `experience` from en `in` + peira `trial`)

based on personal accounts rather than systematic study

“This is anecdotal—do we have quantitative data?”

Origin: Greek anekdota `unpublished items` (from an- `not` + ekdotos `published`)