Usage Note
Évidence is a false friend: in French it means 'something obvious or self-evident', not 'evidence' (which is preuve). C'est une évidence = 'it's obvious'. Common phrases include de toute évidence ('clearly, evidently') and mettre en évidence ('to highlight, to demonstrate'). Learners frequently confuse this with English 'evidence'.
Examples
"De toute évidence, il n'avait pas préparé sa réponse."
Natural Translation
Clearly, he had not prepared his answer.
Literal Translation
Of all evidence, he had not prepared his answer.
Related Words
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