come to trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come to trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a case that is being brought before a court for a formal examination. Example: "After months of preparation, the defendant's case is finally set to come to trial next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They have yet to come to trial.

The Guardian

The case has not come to trial.

The New York Times

The case has not yet come to trial.

The New York Times

Whether the case will come to trial also remains unclear.

The New York Times

But that result requires the case to come to trial.

The New York Times

The suit may take years to come to trial.

The New York Times

As a result, very few lawsuits ever come to trial.

The New York Times

The case is expected to come to trial next year.

The New York Times - Tech

The suit has not yet come to trial.

The New York Times

The case has yet to come to trial.

The New York Times

If it did come to trial, we could form a very solid defense.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, use "come to trial" to specifically indicate the point at which a case is formally presented in court. This is more precise than simply saying a case "went to court".

Common error

Avoid using "come to trial" interchangeably with phrases like "settled out of court." "Come to trial" implies the case proceeds to a formal hearing, while settling avoids this process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to trial" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of legal proceedings in a court of law. Ludwig AI shows many examples in news and legal contexts, confirming this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come to trial" is a common and grammatically sound expression used primarily in legal and journalistic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the commencement of formal legal proceedings in a court. While phrases like "face trial" or "go to court" can serve as alternatives, "come to trial" specifically denotes the point at which evidence and arguments are presented before a judge. It's important to avoid using this phrase when a case is settled out of court. Its frequency and authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its relevance in discussing legal matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face trial

Emphasizes the confrontation aspect of being in court.

go to court

A more general term for the legal process.

stand trial

Highlights the act of the defendant being judged.

be brought to justice

Focuses on the legal system's role in resolving the case.

be prosecuted

Emphasizes the act of the prosecution presenting the case.

have one's day in court

Highlights the opportunity to present one's case.

appear before a judge

Focuses on the procedural aspect of the trial.

be subject to legal proceedings

A formal way of stating that a case will be reviewed in court.

undergo judicial review

Highlights the judicial system's examination of the case.

enter the courtroom

Describes the physical act of commencing a trial.

FAQs

What does it mean for a case to "come to trial"?

For a case to "come to trial" means it will be presented before a court, where evidence and arguments will be heard to reach a verdict. This is a formal legal proceeding.

What can I say instead of "come to trial"?

You can use alternatives like "face trial", "go to court", or "stand trial" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does a case "come to trial" after being investigated?

After an investigation, if there is enough evidence, charges are filed, and the case is scheduled to "come to trial". This involves pre-trial motions, discovery, and ultimately, the trial itself.

What happens if a case doesn't "come to trial"?

If a case doesn't "come to trial", it may be dismissed due to lack of evidence, settled out of court, or resolved through a plea bargain. Several factors can prevent a case from reaching the trial stage.