a preliminary hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a court proceeding held to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial. Example: "The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing to assess the evidence against the defendant before deciding on the trial date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A preliminary hearing was held Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's why they wanted a preliminary hearing.

The New York Times - Sports

A preliminary hearing is scheduled next Tuesday.

The New York Times

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8 March.

The Guardian

A preliminary hearing has been set for Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

A preliminary hearing has been set for Nov. 9.

The New York Times

Judge Patton scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 21.

The New York Times

A preliminary hearing is likely to be held within days.

The New York Times

A preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 23.

The New York Times

Ritchie, 47, attended a preliminary hearing on Thursday morning.

The Guardian - Music

The charges were dismissed at a preliminary hearing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on legal proceedings, use "a preliminary hearing" to accurately describe the stage where evidence is presented to determine if there's sufficient cause for a trial. Ensure the context clearly indicates the legal subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a preliminary hearing" loosely to describe any initial meeting or discussion. It specifically refers to a legal proceeding, not simply an early stage of any process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary hearing" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is commonly used in legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary hearing" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used in legal contexts to describe a court proceeding where evidence is presented to determine if there is sufficient cause for a trial. Ludwig AI confirms its typical use in legal reporting. While alternatives like "initial hearing" or "pre-trial hearing" exist, they may not fully capture the specific legal meaning. The phrase is predominantly found in news and media sources and is used in a neutral to professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initial hearing

Emphasizes the beginning stage of the legal process.

Pre-trial hearing

Highlights the hearing's position before the actual trial.

Evidentiary hearing

Focuses on the presentation and assessment of evidence.

Probable cause hearing

Specifically addresses the determination of sufficient cause for legal action.

Arraignment hearing

Highlights the formal reading of charges and entry of a plea.

Judicial inquiry

Suggests a more general investigative proceeding.

Magistrate's hearing

Identifies the type of official presiding over the hearing.

Court appearance

Refers to any scheduled attendance in court.

Legal examination

Focuses on the scrutiny of legal aspects.

Due process review

Emphasizes adherence to legal rights and procedures.

FAQs

What is the purpose of "a preliminary hearing"?

A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding to determine if there is enough evidence to require a trial. It's an "evidentiary hearing" to assess probable cause.

How does "a preliminary hearing" differ from a trial?

A preliminary hearing determines if sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. A trial, on the other hand, is a formal examination of evidence to decide guilt or innocence.

What happens after "a preliminary hearing"?

If the court finds sufficient evidence during the preliminary hearing, the case moves towards trial. If not, the charges may be dismissed. It can be followed by an "arraignment hearing" if the case proceeds.

What are some alternatives to "a preliminary hearing"?

Depending on the context, you might use "initial hearing" or "pre-trial hearing" as alternatives, though these may not capture the precise legal nuance.