As Evidenced By or As Evident By: Correct Usage

Learning the phrase as evidenced by helps you write with confidence. It shows proof or support for an idea. Writers use it in schoolwork, reports, and even stories. This phrase makes sentences strong, clear, and correct in meaning.

The phrase as evident by looks similar but it is not right. The word evident is only an adjective. It cannot work with “by” in this way. Using it can make your writing sound confusing or wrong.

Remember, phrases like as shown by or as demonstrated by are close in meaning to as evidenced by. They give readers clear information. Choosing the correct form makes your writing smoother and helps people trust what you write.

Table of Contents

Why the Phrase “As Evidenced By or As Evident By” Confuses So Many

Writers often mix up as evidenced by and as evident by because they look and sound almost the same. In spoken English, mistakes slip through easily. But in writing, only the first phrase is correct and fits in formal or academic work.

The phrase as evident by feels natural when read aloud, but it breaks grammar rules. The word “evident” works as an adjective, not as a verb. Using it makes the sentence unclear, while the correct form keeps writing clear and professional.

What Does “As Evidenced By” Really Mean?

The phrase as evidenced by means something is proved or shown with facts. It connects a statement with strong support. Writers often use it to explain ideas in reports, studies, or lessons so that readers can see the clear proof.

When someone writes as evidenced by, they want to give solid backing for their words. It works like phrases such as as shown by or as demonstrated by. This makes the writing more trustworthy, easy to follow, and correct in meaning.

Shows proof – The phrase as evidenced by means something is supported with clear facts or examples.
Connects ideas – It links a statement to the evidence that explains or proves it.
Formal tone – Writers use it in reports, studies, or serious documents to sound professional.
Similar phrases – It works like as shown by or as demonstrated by, giving sentences strong support.

Breaking Down the Grammar of “As Evidenced By”

As – introduces the phrase and means “in the way” or “in the manner.”
Evidenced – is the past participle of the verb evidence, showing proof.
By – is a preposition that names the source giving the proof.
Pattern – the structure follows: As + past participle + by + noun.

Structure Pattern:

Start with “As” – this word introduces the phrase.
Add a past participle – such as evidenced, shown, or proven.
Use “By” – this preposition connects the proof or source.
End with a noun – it names the fact, data, or person giving support.

Why “As Evident By” Is Grammatically Incorrect

The phrase as evident by is not correct because “evident” is only an adjective. An adjective cannot be used with the word “by” in this way. Using it makes sentences weak and breaks basic grammar rules.

Good writing needs strong patterns, and as evident by does not follow them. A better choice is as evidenced by, which uses the proper verb form. This choice keeps sentences clear, formal, and easy for every reader to understand.

Evident is an adjective – it describes, but it cannot act like a verb.
No passive form – adjectives cannot form passive structures with “by.”
Sentence error – the phrase creates incomplete and confusing grammar.
Correct choice – use as evidenced by to keep writing formal and accurate.

Compare the structures:

Phrase	Verb or Adjective?	Correct Use?	Example
As evidenced by	Past participle verb	Yes	As evidenced by the data…
As evident by	Adjective	No	As evident by the chart… ← Wrong

When we compare the phrase as evidenced by with as evident by, the difference is clear. The first phrase uses a verb form, so the sentence works correctly. The second phrase uses only an adjective, which cannot create the same structure.

Correct grammar needs the right parts of speech in the right place. As evidenced by matches other safe patterns like as shown by or as proven by. As evident by breaks this rule, which makes the sentence sound wrong and incomplete.

“Evidenced” vs. “Evident”: Key Differences

Word	Part of Speech	Definition	Example
Evident	Adjective	Clearly seen or understood	The answer was evident to everyone.
Evidenced	Verb (past participle)	Shown or supported with proof	The trend is evidenced by research.

The Role of “By” in English Grammar

Shows the agent – “by” tells who or what performs the action.
Works in passive voice – it follows verbs like shown or proven.
Links proof – it connects evidence to the statement.
Needs a verb first – adjectives like evident cannot fit before “by.”

“By” typically:

Names the doer – tells who or what caused the action.
Follows passive verbs – works after words like written or shown.
Connects evidence – links facts to support a claim.
Adds clarity – makes sentences precise and easy to understand.

How “As Evidenced By” Appears in Academic & Formal Writing

Writers often use as evidenced by in school papers, research articles, and reports. It helps them connect ideas with strong proof. This phrase makes the writing sound serious, clear, and professional, which is important in formal subjects like history, law, or science.

In academic work, as evidenced by supports claims with data, studies, or facts. It gives the reader trust in the information. When teachers, scholars, or professionals use this phrase, it shows careful thought and adds weight to the explanation.

Examples of “As Evidenced By” in Different Contexts

Let’s see how versatile the phrase can be across different domains:

Academic Writing

Presents evidence – writers use facts, data, or studies for support.
Uses formal tone – sentences stay clear, respectful, and professional.
Applies correct grammar – phrases like as evidenced by keep writing strong.
Builds trust – readers rely on accurate proof in research and essays.

Business & Marketing

Shows success – phrases like as evidenced by highlight growth or results.
Builds trust – data and proof make messages more believable.
Supports strategy – evidence strengthens reports, plans, and presentations.
Improves image – clear grammar makes a company look professional and reliable.

Legal Writing

Uses strong proof – phrases like as evidenced by connect claims to facts.
Maintains clarity – clear grammar avoids confusion in legal arguments.
Supports authority – evidence from laws or testimony strengthens a case.
Ensures precision – every word matters in contracts, rulings, and legal documents.

Historical Writing

Shows past proof – phrases like as evidenced by link ideas to real events.
Adds credibility – facts from records or artifacts support arguments.
Creates clarity – correct grammar makes history easy to follow.
Builds connection – evidence helps readers understand people and times of the past.

Common Grammar Errors Similar to “As Evident By”

Writers often misuse other adjectives in passive-style phrases. Watch out for these:

Incorrect Forms

As apparent by – wrong because apparent is an adjective.
As obvious by – incorrect since obvious cannot work with “by.”
As clear by – fails because clear does not act as a verb.
As evident by – not correct; it breaks grammar structure.

Corrected Forms

As demonstrated by – correct and clear for showing proof.
As shown by – simple and widely used in formal writing.
As evidenced by – proper phrase that links claims with evidence.
As indicated by – useful for connecting ideas with supporting details.

Proofreading Tips to Avoid This Mistake

Here are practical ways to ensure you’re using “as evidenced by” correctly:

Checklist:

Check the verb – make sure a past participle comes before “by.”
Test with shown – replace the phrase with as shown by to confirm.
Avoid adjectives – words like evident or clear don’t fit here.
Keep structure – follow the pattern: As + past participle + by + noun.

Tools That Can Help:

Grammarly – finds grammar errors and suggests corrections.
Hemingway Editor – improves clarity and shortens long sentences.
ProWritingAid – checks style, grammar, and structure carefully.
Spellcheck tools – catch small mistakes and keep writing clean.

Beware:

Even some grammar tools may miss this specific error, so manual checking is best.

Quick Reference Table: Correct vs Incorrect Usage

Correct Usage	Incorrect Usage
As evidenced by reports	As evident by reports
As shown by data	As obvious by data
As indicated by behavior	As apparent by behavior
As proven by results	As clear by results

Case Study: Academic Writing Gone Wrong

Let’s examine a real-life example (names changed) from a graduate student’s research paper.

Original:

“The theory is credible, as evident by its application in real-world policy.”

Rewritten:

“The theory is credible, as evidenced by its application in real-world policy.”

Corrects grammar – fixes mistakes to make the sentence clear.
Uses proper form – replaces wrong phrases with accurate ones.
Adds clarity – makes ideas easier for the reader to understand.
Improves tone – keeps writing formal, professional, and trustworthy.

Key Takeaways to Remember

As evidenced by is the correct phrase for showing proof.
As evident by is always wrong because it misuses an adjective.
Use verbs like shown or proven before “by” for accuracy.
Correct grammar builds trust and makes writing clear and professional.

Conclusion

In writing, phrases like as evidenced by make ideas stronger and more reliable. Choosing the right form shows care for language and respect for the reader. Small details in grammar can change how professional and clear your work feels.

Good communication grows from correct usage and simple structure. Using as evidenced by helps sentences flow with ease and gives them real meaning. Paying attention to these small lessons builds confidence and improves every piece of writing.

FAQs

Is it as evident by or as evidenced by?

The correct phrase is as evidenced by. As evident by is grammatically incorrect because “evident” is an adjective, not a verb.

How to use as evidenced by in a sentence?

Use as evidenced by to show proof. Example: “The team improved, as evidenced by higher test scores this semester.”

When to use evident or evidence?

Use evident to describe something clear or obvious. Use evidence as a noun to show proof, support, or facts.

What’s another way to say “as evidenced by”?

Alternatives include as shown by, as demonstrated by, as proven by, or as indicated by for proper grammatical use.

Bibcia

Join Bibcia on a journey to master English grammar. Discover easy lessons, writing tips, and practical examples designed to make learning grammar simple and effective.