Data vs Evidence

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Data

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 noun

Evidence

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 noun

	Data	Evidence
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //ˈdeɪtə// 🇺🇸 //ˈdeɪtə//	🇬🇧 //ˈɛvɪdəns// 🇺🇸 //ˈɛvɪdəns//
Meaning	Facts and figures that can be analyzed.	Proof or information that shows something is true.
Example	The scientist collected data for her research project.	The detective found important evidence at the crime scene.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	A2	A2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Collocations	collect data, analyze data, present data, data protection, data analysis	provide evidence, gather evidence, in court as evidence
Antonyms	opinion, theory	doubt, disbelief, uncertainty
Common mistakes	Confusing 'data' as only plural; it can be used as singular., Using 'data' as a verb., 'Data' used without context can lead to confusion.	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	Commonly used in science, technology, and business. Not typically used in casual conversation without context.	Used in formal contexts like court or research. Avoid in casual conversations unless specifically discussing proof.

See it in real clips

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

The data is very corrupt.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

Now, I could sync that with data from the motion detectors,

The Pitt › S1 E1

and publishes the data online.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

The data is very corrupt.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

Now, I could sync that with data from the motion detectors,

Data

The Queen Gambit › S1 E1

There's no evidence against you!

The gentleman has a right to see exhibits in evidence.

Breaking Bad › S1 E7

Without a modicum of evidence, illegally detained

The Queen Gambit › S1 E1

There's no evidence against you!

The gentleman has a right to see exhibits in evidence.

Evidence

Frequently asked questions: Data vs Evidence

What's the difference between Data and Evidence?

Data: Facts and figures that can be analyzed. Evidence: Proof or information that shows something is true.

Are Data and Evidence the same CEFR level?

Data: A2, Evidence: A2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Data and Evidence?

Data: noun, Evidence: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Data: The scientist collected data for her research project. Evidence: The detective found important evidence at the crime scene.

Can I use Data and Evidence interchangeably?

Not always. Data 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.