direct examination

USAGE SUMMARY

"direct examination" is a correct and common term used in written English.
It refers to the questioning of a witness in a court of law by the attorney who called them to testify. Example: During the direct examination, the witness was asked to provide details about their interaction with the defendant on the night of the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can only cross-examine within the scope of direct examination.

Huffington Post

No. Direct examination over.

The New York Times

Cross examination is not constrained to issues only raised in the direct examination.

The New York Times

Direct Examination Group (by the defense)– This is the first questioning of the witness.

The New York Times

On direct examination by Charles Cooper, the lead lawyer defending Prop.

The New Yorker

John took the stand, and Mr. Wildes' direct examination began in a traditional fashion.

The New Yorker

Ms. Prue testified briefly about her consultation with Ms. Tse on direct examination last week.

The New York Times

As he testified on direct examination, "The character is larger than life.

The New Yorker

This time though, under direct examination in federal court in Manhattan, Mr. Quattrone was upfront about his role.

The New York Times

Under Michaelson's direct examination, Blankfein subtly rewrote the history of the financial crisis a phrase he never uttered.

The New Yorker

Rapid diagnosis may be accomplished by direct examination of lesion material by EM.

Journal of Clinical Virology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, use "direct examination" to specifically refer to the initial questioning of a witness by the lawyer who called them to the stand.

Common error

Avoid using "direct examination" to describe general investigative procedures or medical examinations. It is a term specific to legal contexts where a witness is questioned by the calling party.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "direct examination" functions as a noun phrase within the English language. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness. It specifically denotes a legal procedure where a witness is initially questioned by the attorney who called them, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "direct examination" is a frequently used and grammatically sound term, as validated by Ludwig AI. It refers specifically to the initial questioning of a witness by the attorney who called them in a legal trial. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, with additional occurences in Formal & Business contexts, its usage is mainly professional. Related phrases like "direct scrutiny" and "direct review" offer similar but less legally specific meanings. When using this term, ensure it is within a legal context to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct exam

A shortened, more informal version of "direct examination", primarily used in casual conversation.

direct scrutiny

Emphasizes a focused and immediate form of assessment or inspection, applicable in various contexts beyond legal settings.

directed examination

The examination is led and guided by a person or instructions.

direct review

Focuses on the act of reviewing something directly, without necessarily involving questioning or interrogation.

straightforward examination

Highlights the simplicity and clarity of the examination process, deviating slightly from the legal connotation.

immediate examination

Highlights the urgency and lack of delay in performing the examination.

direct consideration

Suggests giving something immediate and undivided attention, implying a more thoughtful evaluation.

forthright examination

Implies an examination that is honest and direct in its approach.

direct testing

Emphasizes the act of testing something directly to get results.

online examination

Specifies the mode of examination as being conducted online, a context not necessarily related to the traditional meaning.

FAQs

What is "direct examination" in legal terms?

In a legal setting, "direct examination" refers to the initial questioning of a witness by the attorney who has called that witness to testify on behalf of their client. It's followed by cross-examination from the opposing attorney.

How does cross-examination differ from "direct examination"?

While "direct examination" involves the initial questioning by the calling party, cross-examination is the subsequent questioning by the opposing party, allowing them to challenge the witness's testimony.

Can "direct exam" be used interchangeably with "direct examination"?

"Direct exam" is a more informal abbreviation of "direct examination". While acceptable in casual conversation, it's best to use the full term in formal legal writing.

What is the purpose of "direct examination" in a trial?

The primary purpose of "direct examination" is to allow the attorney to present their witness's version of events to the court, establishing facts and evidence that support their case.