Cool MateClues vs Evidence
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clues
Top 2,000 (common)
Evidence
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Evidence
| Clues | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kluːz//🇺🇸 //kluːz// | 🇬🇧 //ˈɛvɪdəns//🇺🇸 //ˈɛvɪdəns// |
| Meaning | Hints that help you solve a problem or mystery. | Proof or information that shows something is true. |
| Example | The detective found several useful clues at the scene of the crime. | The detective found important evidence at the crime scene. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | give clues, follow clues, find clues, provide clues, search for clues | provide evidence, gather evidence, in court as evidence |
| Antonyms | obscurity, mystery | doubt, disbelief, uncertainty |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'clue' as singular with 'clues' as plural., Using 'clues' in non-mystery contexts without proper explanation., Mixing 'clue' with unrelated terms like evidence. | Confusing 'evidence' with 'advise' which has a different meaning., Using 'evidences' as a plural form, which is incorrect., Mixing up 'evidence' with 'evidence of' when describing specific proof. |
| Usage notes | Use 'clues' in contexts like solving puzzles or mysteries. Avoid in formal writing without proper context. | Used in formal contexts like court or research. Avoid in casual conversations unless specifically discussing proof. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clues vs Evidence
What's the difference between Clues and Evidence?
Clues: Hints that help you solve a problem or mystery. Evidence: Proof or information that shows something is true.
Which is more common: Clues and Evidence?
Evidence is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Clues: The detective found several useful clues at the scene of the crime. Evidence: The detective found important evidence at the crime scene.
Can I use Clues and Evidence interchangeably?
Not always. Clues and Evidence are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.