is on trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is on trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is being judged in a legal context or to indicate that something is being tested or evaluated. Example: "The defendant is on trial for the charges brought against him, and the jury will decide his fate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because, Entine replies, science itself is "on trial".

The New York Times - Books

"No one is on trial," he said.

The New York Times

But no-one else is on trial.

BBC

Neither one of them is on trial.

The New York Times

Now Kozlov is on trial again.

The New York Times

Science is on trial today.

Stanford University

The theory of emergence is on trial.

Nature

Democracy is on trial in Uganda.

The Guardian

"Journalism is on trial in this case.

The Guardian

He is on trial with himself.

The Guardian

"Democracy is on trial in Kenya," said Odinga.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is on trial" when you want to convey that someone or something is being subjected to a formal process of judgment or testing. It is suitable for legal, abstract, and metaphorical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is on trial" when you simply mean something is being discussed or considered informally. The phrase implies a more rigorous and structured evaluation process than casual deliberation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is on trial" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject (person, concept, etc.) is undergoing a process of judgment or rigorous testing. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show its application in legal, political, and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is on trial" is a versatile expression used to convey that someone or something is undergoing a formal process of judgment or rigorous testing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While it carries a neutral register, it can also lean toward formality depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a structured evaluation rather than a casual discussion. Alternatives such as "is being judged" or "is under scrutiny" may be more appropriate depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being judged

Focuses on the act of judgment rather than the trial itself.

is under scrutiny

Emphasizes close examination and potential criticism.

is being evaluated

Highlights a formal assessment or appraisal.

is being assessed

Similar to 'evaluated' but can imply a more specific measurement.

is being examined

Suggests a detailed investigation or inspection.

is at issue

Indicates that something is in dispute or under consideration.

is in the balance

Implies that the outcome is uncertain and depends on the trial.

faces a test

Highlights the challenging nature of the situation.

is being challenged

Focuses on the opposition or questioning of something.

is in question

Suggests uncertainty or doubt about something's validity.

FAQs

How is the phrase "is on trial" typically used?

The phrase "is on trial" is commonly used to describe a person being judged in a court of law, or metaphorically to indicate that an idea, concept, or system is being rigorously tested or evaluated. For example, "Democracy "is on trial" in Kenya".

What does it mean when someone says that science "is on trial"?

When someone says science "is on trial", it usually means that the methods, results, or implications of scientific research are being questioned or challenged, often in a public or political arena. It suggests a critical examination of scientific principles and their impact.

What are some alternatives to "is on trial" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "is being judged", "is under scrutiny", or "is being evaluated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "is on trial" metaphorically?

The phrase "is on trial" can be used metaphorically when a concept, system, or idea is facing significant challenge, scrutiny, or testing. This usage is appropriate when the situation mirrors the intensity and formality of a legal trial, such as when "the logic of profiling itself "is on trial"".