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évidence

obviousness, self-evidence

noun eh-vee-DAHNS Less Common
Communication Expressions

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.

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