an official hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an official hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a formal meeting or session is held to discuss or decide on a specific matter, often in legal or governmental settings. Example: "The committee will hold an official hearing to review the proposed legislation next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We will be, for the first time in an official hearing, found culpable in killing our fellow fans.

The Guardian - Sport

As Louisiana's secretary of state Tom Schedler put it to an official hearing recently: "It's getting a little scary out there".

The Guardian

Montsho, 31, will not be able to compete at any of the lucrative Diamond League meetings remaining this season until an official hearing into the failed test is held.

Independent

Meeting was sponsored by the Administration of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs as a courtesy to public, not as an official hearing & was attended by August Heckscher, administrator of P.R.C.A. & Dore Schary, Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, neither of whom took a stand on the plan.

The New Yorker

When the financier George Soros and his wife, Susan, wanted to build an indoor sports center near their estate in the mid-1990's, the plan ran into opposition and never had an official hearing; the Soroses have since sold their property.

The New York Times - Travel

At a "round-table discussion" -- remember, this wasn't an official hearing -- one ambassador after another criticized the Foreign Relations Committee for America's ambivalent leadership and a law that pays $926 million in American arrears, but only if the United Nations takes steps to eliminate waste, a condition many diplomats consider unwarranted micromanaging.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The Titans had just been flagged for roughing Philip Rivers when an official heard Cecil say something.

The New York Times

So passionate were some spectators that after a match in Chatham, Kent, where he characteristically cheated to win, the audience were invited to submit formal witness statements to a supposed official hearing into the bout.

The Guardian - Sport

One possibility would be to withhold the announcement of an award until a Nobel official hears the winner's voice on the famous notification calls.

The New York Times - Health

"Even if a church official hears of abuses through the news, there must be an investigation," he said.

The New York Times

And when confronted with the crisis, a State Department official, heard over the radio, backs away from addressing it by quibbling over the use of the word genocide.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a hearing, ensure that you have confirmed that it is officially recognized by an authority or institution. Use "an official hearing" to denote legitimacy and adherence to protocol.

Common error

Don't assume all hearings are automatically "official". Clearly specify that a hearing is "official" to distinguish it from informal discussions or preliminary meetings. Otherwise, you risk misrepresenting the event's authority and significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an official hearing" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a formal, authorized proceeding. It is often used to describe legal, administrative, or regulatory events where evidence is presented and decisions are made.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an official hearing" is a noun phrase used to denote a formal and authorized proceeding, typically in legal, administrative, or regulatory contexts. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Although relatively uncommon, it frequently appears in news and media sources, as well as in formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the hearing is indeed officially recognized by an authority to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives such as "a formal hearing" or "a sanctioned hearing" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a formal hearing

Replaces "official" with "formal", emphasizing the structured and regulated nature of the hearing.

a sanctioned hearing

Substitutes "official" with "sanctioned", highlighting that the hearing has been authorized or approved by a higher authority.

a scheduled hearing

Focuses on the aspect that the hearing has been planned and set for a specific time.

a legal proceeding

Replaces the entire phrase to describe a more general legal event.

an administrative hearing

Specifies that the hearing is related to administrative matters, often within a governmental or organizational context.

a tribunal

Uses a single word to denote a court or forum with judicial powers.

a regulatory review

Highlights the regulatory aspect, focusing on the review process conducted by an official body.

a due process hearing

Emphasizes that the hearing is conducted to ensure fairness and protect individual rights.

a public inquiry

Replaces “hearing” with “inquiry” and emphasizes that the proceeding is open to the public.

a board review

Highlights that the review will be done by a board, in a corporate or organizational setting.

FAQs

How can I use "an official hearing" in a sentence?

You can use "an official hearing" to describe a formal proceeding, like "The committee will conduct "an official hearing" to review the evidence".

What is another way to say "an official hearing"?

Alternatives include "a formal hearing", "a sanctioned hearing", or "a scheduled hearing", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What distinguishes "an official hearing" from a regular meeting?

"An official hearing" implies a structured, authorized proceeding with specific rules and protocols, whereas a regular meeting is generally less formal and may not have the same legal or regulatory weight.

When is it appropriate to use the term "an official hearing"?

Use "an official hearing" when referring to proceedings that are sanctioned by a governing body or organization, where decisions or findings carry formal weight and are subject to legal or regulatory standards.