at their trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a legal proceeding where individuals are being judged for a crime or offense. Example: "The evidence presented at their trial was crucial in determining the outcome of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither defendant gave evidence at their trial.

The Guardian - Opinion

The officers were acquitted at their trial.

The New York Times

The judge at their trial warned against this tendency.

Independent

Despite this, the owners were found innocent of all wrongdoing at their trial.

Cornell University

But when a member of Kitchener's staff denied this at their trial, their fate was sealed.

The Guardian - Opinion

At their trial, in May, 2013, they described those actions matter-of-factly.

The New Yorker

Morin was not permitted to testify at their trial earlier this year that she had never met Huwaider and Oyouni.

The Guardian

He was the lawyer in 1951 for their final appeal against the death penalty, not a lawyer at their trial.

The New York Times

At their trial, they testified that they thought he had pulled a gun out of his pocket.

The New York Times

More than 90 witnesses gave evidence at their trial at Antigua's high court in St John's earlier this year.

The Guardian

At their trial, each blamed the other, a move known to lawyers as a "cut-throat defence".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at their trial", ensure it's clear who "their" refers to, especially if multiple parties are involved in the discussion. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at their trial" if the subjects involved are not explicitly mentioned in the immediate context. Unclear pronoun reference can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their trial" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time or place where an action occurred. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at their trial" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the setting of events within a legal trial. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the time or place of an action. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various levels of formality. To ensure clarity, careful pronoun reference is essential, and while alternatives exist, "at their trial" remains the most direct and widely understood choice for this specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during their court case

Replaces "trial" with the more general "court case", broadening the scope slightly.

in the course of their trial

Emphasizes the progression and unfolding of events within the trial.

throughout their trial proceedings

Highlights the duration and formal nature of the trial.

in their legal proceedings

Offers a broader term for the entire legal process, not just the trial itself.

while they were on trial

Shifts the focus to the defendants' state during the trial.

as their case was heard

Focuses on the act of the case being presented and judged.

when they stood accused

Highlights the moment of accusation and the defendants' position.

before the court

A more formal way to indicate their presence in a judicial setting.

during the judicial review

Highlights the official revision of the trial outcome, a more generic description.

under judicial scrutiny

Emphasizes the rigorous examination by the court.

FAQs

How can I use "at their trial" in a sentence?

You can use "at their trial" to describe events, testimonies, or evidence presented during a legal proceeding. For example, "The evidence presented "at their trial" proved their innocence."

What are some alternatives to saying "at their trial"?

Alternatives include "during their court case", "in their legal proceedings", or "while they were on trial". Each phrase offers a slightly different emphasis, such as "during their court case" focusing on the event itself or "in their legal proceedings" focusing on the process.

Is it correct to say "in their trial" instead of "at their trial"?

While "in their trial" isn't grammatically incorrect, "at their trial" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "At" indicates a specific point or location in time or space, making it more suitable for describing events occurring within the trial setting.

What's the difference between "at their trial" and "during their trial"?

"At their trial" and "during their trial" are often interchangeable, but "during their trial" may emphasize the ongoing nature of the trial, while "at their trial" can refer to specific moments or events. For example, evidence presented "at their trial" could be discussed "during their trial".