Evidence и proof. В чем разница?
evidence происходит от латинского e- ‘вне, снаружи, за пределами’ + videre ‘видеть’, то есть это информация, которая помогает прийти к какому-то заключению.
proof — это фактическая информация, которая подтверждает заключение.
Стоит также обратить внимание на то, что первое значение evidence — «очевидность» (а также «ясность», «наглядность»). Заметили, в русском слове присутствует тот же корень, что и в английском — «видеть». И (если можно так сказать) большую часть времени evidence используется именно в этом значении, и только в юридическом контексте evidence становится — «улики, свидетельское показание». Вот, например, сериал Evidence по-русски называется «Улики».
Первое же значение proof — «подтверждение, доказательство». Это слово также происходит из латинского языка — точнее от «proba» — проверка, тест. От него же и испанское prueba, итальянское prova и французское prueve.
бесспорное доказательство — indisputable proof / evidence
убедительное доказательство — convincing proof / evidence
достаточное доказательство — sufficient proof
неопровержимое доказательство — irrefutable proof
математическое доказательство — mathematical proof
to call in evidence — вызывать в суд для дачи показаний
to gather / piece together evidence — собирать улики
to suppress / withhold evidence — утаивать улики
The proof is in the pudding — букв. доказательство в пудинге. Смысл в том, что мы можем судить о чем-то только после того, как мы это попробуем. Пример от The English We Speak.
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Difference Between Evidence and Proof
Evidence and proof are two words that we commonly use interchangeably in general parlance. However, there is a subtle difference between evidence and proof. Evidence refers to information or facts that help us to establish the truth or existence of something. Proof is the sum of evidence which helps to prove something. The main difference between evidence and proof is that proof is more concrete and conclusive than evidence. However, it is important to note that these two words can be used interchangeably in common usage despite this difference.
This article explains,
1. What Does Evidence Mean – Definition, Meaning, Usage and Characteristics
2. What Does Proof Mean – Definition, Meaning, Usage and Characteristics
3. Difference Between Evidence and Proof
What is Evidence
The Oxford dictionary defines evidence as “available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid”. Merriam-Webster dictionary provides a more simple definition: “something which shows that something else exists or is true.” As these definitions indicate, evidence is the information or facts that help us to establish the truth or existence of something. However, evidence is not as conclusive as proof. It merely suggests that something is possible.
For example, imagine an open, empty cookie bar and a boy who is covered in crumbs is standing close to it. The empty jar and the boy are evidence to the offense, but unless someone makes a logical argument using this information, there is no way to prove that the jar had cookies and the boy ate them.
Shoeprints can be considered as an evidence.
What is Proof
The Merriam- Webster dictionary defines proof as “the cogency of evidence that compels acceptance by the mind of a truth or a fact” and Oxford dictionary defines it as “evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.” As these definitions indicate, proof is more concrete than evidence. We use the word proof when we have established the truth of a matter by examining the evidence and creating a strong argument. All evidence adds up to proof. In other words, evidence does not become proof until someone takes the pieces of facts and information and arrive at a logical and concrete conclusion. For example, if the evidence acts as a theory or hypothesis, the proof proves the theory to be a fact.
Proof is what you get by analyzing all the evidence.
Difference Between Evidence and Proof
Definition
Evidence is something which shows that something else exists or is true.
Proof is the evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.
Validity
Evidence suggests something.
Proof is more concrete.
Nature
Evidence refers to pieces of information and facts.
Proof is the logical conclusion we arrive after analyzing the evidence.
“Shoeprint dusty” By Zalman992 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“462978” (Public Domain) via Pixbay
About the Author: Hasa
Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.
Proof vs. Evidence
I’m spending a lot of time grading literary analysis essays these days. In fact, at this very moment, I am avoiding the grading of literary analysis essays by writing this blog post.
But I felt the need to do so because I keep reading sentences like this:
- Beowulf’s frequent boasting is proof of his incredible pride.
- These examples prove that Gatsby was indeed a tragic hero.
- This proves that Dante wasn’t trying to literally describe hell.
In each of these examples, proof or prove is the wrong word. In fact, I’m not sure if a literary analysis paper has ever proved anything. Was Beowulf proud? Was Gatsby a tragic hero? Was Dante being allegorical? Sure. Probably. I don’t know. These are subjective questions that can only be answered by speculation based on evidence.
A writer of literary analysis is never asked to prove anything. They are asked to give evidence to support their claims. There’s a difference. Proof requires evidence, but not all evidence constitutes proof.
Proof is a fact that demonstrates something to be real or true. Evidence is information that might lead one to believe something to be real or true. Proof is final and conclusive. Evidence is tentative.
A fingerprint on a gun is evidence of someone’s guilt. If the murder suspect also had motive and opportunity, that’s more evidence. If the investigators can put together enough evidence, they will have proof of his guilt.
But remember, in literary writing, there’s no actual murderer to be found. Literary analysis is inductive, not deductive. In a sense, you can never really prove a literary thesis. You can only provide evidence. You can only hope to show your argument to be reasonable and likely.
That’s why writers of literary essays should just about always substitute the word evidence for proof. When it comes to the verb form, there are lots of options for replacing prove: indicate, demonstrate, argue, illustrate, suggest, etc.
Relax, young literary analysts. You have nothing to prove. Literally.
В чем разница между proof и evidence
Proof is used when you are demonstrating that a certain statement is true, for instance you could offer a demonstration (proof) that a mathematical assertion holds; in this case you will never use the term «evidence». Other sciences do not need full and complete proofs, but get along with a theory until evidence is found suggeting the theory is false in its prediction; evidence is the collection of facts and logic concatenations (syllogisms) that suggests that some theory, hypothesis, statement to hold true; evidence is important in all sciences, as it clearly points the direction of further studies, therefore, in the «lucky cases» leading to further evidence or more articulated hypothesis.
23 марта 2011 г.
Evidence shows that something might be true. Proof shows that something definitely is true.
23 марта 2011 г.
I don’t think there is one. Proof means «evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, or to produce belief in its truth.» Whereas evidence is the thing itself you’re trying to prove. Evidence «that which tends to prove or disprove something, ground for belief, proof.» If you go to court and claim someone backed into your car, but you have no evidence, you won’t have a fun time. If you claim to have discovered a new type of dinosaur, people will want proof.
23 марта 2011 г.
Thanks. It’s because some dictionaries tell almost the same meaning of two words and this confuse me.