attest

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "attest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "to confirm or verify the truth of something". For example, "He attested to the accuracy of the document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I can attest to this.

The New York Times

Andriy Parubiy, head of Ukraine's national security and defence council, told the Guardian that these were all coordinated from a single anti-terrorism command centre, but numerous sources on the ground attest to the fact that coordination is poor, and there are major concerns over how ready the volunteer brigades are for combat.

The Guardian

"He was a mythical figure in my childhood... and his many musical scores, essays and patents in addition to his prolific artistic output attest to his many talents," she said.

The Guardian

As someone who is half black and half white, I can certainly attest to the truth of that.

The Guardian - Opinion

As recent scandals and crises attest, our economic and political system is in crisis – nowhere reflected more clearly than in the Olympic project.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's rarely boring off the pitch for Villa but their loyal fans – dwindling in number when considering the Villa Park attendance dropped to its lowest in 15 years in the recent draw with Southampton – will attest that it's quite the opposite on it.

The Guardian - Sport

Or that Scotland, avid participant for over two centuries in the splendour and folly of empire, as the opulent houses near Glasgow and the Indian cemeteries full of young Campbells attest, should now wish to disown its senior partner.

The Guardian - Opinion

That claim cannot easily be substantiated but Roma's defenders could certainly attest that he moves at quite some speed.

The Guardian - Sport

Officials at the shrine deny knowledge of such funding, but two enormous, half-completed minarets attest to the availability of large amounts of cash.

The Guardian

"We need more women in the ADF and those figures attest to that," said the chief of navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, at the recruitment campaign launch in Darwin.

The Guardian

He has since been urging staff to attest to the new "Barclays Way" – a set of cultural guidelines – although one in six have failed to sign up.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attest" when you want to formally declare or confirm the truth of something, often based on personal knowledge or experience. It's particularly useful in professional or legal contexts where a level of certainty or validation is required.

Common error

Avoid using "attest" when you simply mean to suggest or indicate something. "Attest" carries a stronger connotation of certainty and proof. For instance, instead of saying, "The data attests to a correlation", consider "The data suggests a correlation" if the evidence is not definitive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "attest" is as a verb. It's used to declare something to be true or genuine, often based on personal knowledge or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts requiring verification or certification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "attest" functions to declare or confirm the truth of something, often based on personal knowledge or experience. Ludwig AI data confirms its presence in formal contexts like news, business, and academia. While grammatically correct, it is best suited for professional communications. Its function is to validate and lend credibility, and it is most common in neutral to formal registers. Bear in mind to avoid the misuse as a synonym for the verb "suggest" as that implies a weaker confirmation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certify

Implies a formal or official confirmation, often involving a written document or statement.

verify

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of something, often through investigation or evidence.

testify

Suggests providing evidence or a statement, especially in a legal or formal setting.

affirm

Emphasizes a strong and confident declaration of truth or validity.

validate

Highlights the act of confirming or proving the legitimacy or soundness of something.

confirm

Indicates providing support or evidence to show that something is true or correct.

corroborate

Suggests strengthening or supporting something with additional evidence or information.

bear witness to

Highlights the act of personally observing or experiencing something and being able to confirm it.

swear to

Implies a solemn declaration of truth, often involving an oath or promise.

depose

Signifies giving sworn testimony, often in a legal context.

FAQs

How can I use "attest" in a sentence?

You can use "attest" to confirm or verify something based on personal experience or knowledge. For example, "I can "attest to" the accuracy of this report."

What's a good substitute for the word "attest"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "attest" with "certify", "verify", or "testify". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance of meaning.

When should I use "attest" instead of "confirm"?

"Attest" is used when you're declaring something is true based on personal knowledge or experience, while "confirm" is used to verify something with evidence or facts. You "attest to" something you know firsthand, and you confirm information from a source.

Is it correct to use "attest" in informal conversation?

While "attest" is grammatically correct in any context, it's generally more suitable for formal or professional settings. In informal conversation, simpler words like "confirm" or "verify" might be more appropriate.