a trial in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trial in which" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is commonly used to introduce a clause that provides more information about a trial or legal proceeding. Example: "The defendant was found guilty in a trial in which the prosecution presented extensive evidence of his involvement in the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A trial in which the elderly Videla faced additional murder charges opened in 2010.

Britannica

Can one report a trial in which one is a witness, I wondered uneasily.

The New Yorker

(The original featured a trial in which Mr. Gordon was accused of abandoning his postmodern principles).

The New York Times - Arts

Is it fair to invoke a trial in which Zuma was acquitted?

The Guardian - Opinion

Kelly was found not guilty after a trial in which the main witness refused to testify.

The Guardian - Music

A trial in which both participants had to remain silent was also included as a baseline (see EEG preprocessing section).

Nature

Nature recently started a trial in which reviewers can be acknowledged by name in the publications they have helped shape.

Nature

Pakistan did not want to risk a trial in which the country's own nuclear secrets came out.

The New York Times

A popular novelist (and life peer) writes a play about a trial in which he plays the defendant.

The Guardian

Others accused the influential Christian Democrats of trying to block a trial in which nuns were implicated.

The New York Times

To execute someone after a trial in which his lawyer doesn't even bother to remain awake is barbaric.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, avoid overly complex sentence structures when using "a trial in which". Keep the information presented concise and easy to understand.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "which" correctly refers back to the "trial" and that there's no ambiguity in what "which" is modifying. For example, avoid separating the phrase too far from the element it describes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trial in which" functions as a relative clause introducer, providing additional information or context about a specific trial. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in legal and academic writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trial in which" serves as a grammatically correct and widely used phrase for introducing descriptive clauses about trials. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, especially in news, legal documentation, and academic writing. The phrase effectively provides additional information about the nature or specific circumstances of a trial. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and precision in the following clause to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""a trial wherein"" can add formality, while phrases like ""a court case where"" offer a more simplified tone. With over 50 examples, its frequent usage underscores its relevance and acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trial wherein

Replaces "in which" with the single word "wherein", maintaining a formal tone.

a trial during which

Substitutes "in which" with "during which", emphasizing the temporal aspect of the trial.

a court case where

Replaces "trial" with "court case" and "in which" with "where", simplifying the language.

a legal proceeding involving

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive term that highlights the involvement of something specific.

a hearing at which

Uses "hearing" instead of "trial" and "at which" in place of "in which", changing the focus slightly to a specific session.

a judicial review that

Replaces "trial in which" with "judicial review that", focusing on the review process.

an instance when a trial

Changes the structure to focus on an "instance" when a trial occurs, altering the emphasis.

a situation where the trial

Replaces the beginning with "a situation where", shifting the focus to the broader context of the trial.

a scenario in the trial that

Introduces "scenario", highlighting a specific set of circumstances within the trial.

a proceeding where

Uses "proceeding" as a broader term for "trial" and replaces "in which" with "where", generalizing the setting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a trial in which" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, you can substitute "a trial in which" with "a trial wherein". This single-word replacement maintains a sophisticated and professional tone suitable for legal or academic contexts.

Is it correct to use "where" instead of "in which" after the word trial?

While it might be tempting to use "where", it's more grammatically precise to use "in which" after "trial" because you're describing a characteristic of the trial, not necessarily a location. If you want to use "where", you can use alternatives like "a court case where".

What are some alternatives to "a trial in which" that don't use the word "trial"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a legal proceeding involving" or "a judicial review that". These options allow you to describe the legal process without explicitly mentioning the word "trial".

How does "a trial in which" differ from "during the trial"?

"A trial in which" introduces a clause describing a specific characteristic or condition of the trial itself. On the other hand, "during the trial" specifies a timeframe within which something occurs. The former describes, while the latter situates an event in time.