move to trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move to trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate the process of advancing a case to a trial phase after pre-trial procedures have been completed. Example: "The defense attorney decided to move to trial after the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence for a plea deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

With the injunctions now refused twice, the case may move to trial.

The New York Times

Undeterred, a group of the plaintiffs, including Fox and PBS, said they intended to move to trial.

The New York Times

So now, with the case expected to move to trial soon, the Oneidas have made their strongest statement yet to try to allay those fears, saying they will do their utmost to shield owners of private land.

The New York Times

Following a launch in New York stores this year, the nationwide launch is seen as an example of McDonald's move to trial new products in regional franchises before expanding them nationwide.

Independent

That question must be answered before the discovery period ― when parties in a lawsuit disclose evidence to one another ― can end, so the case can move to trial.

Huffington Post

"The law allows a prosecutor the discretion to abandon prosecutions against powerful defendants –- even when judges have found probable cause for the case to move to trial.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Grand juries require prosecutors to prove there was probable cause – that is, more probable than not – that a crime has been committed, before a case moves to trial.

The Guardian - Opinion

The judge's ruling on Ms. Gannon's work reflects one of the many battles quietly fought as the case moved to trial.

The New York Times

Last year, there was a rare case of a district attorney's moving to trial even after the prosecution's own expert found the defendant not responsible.

The New York Times

On Friday it awarded its 2010 prize to Eduardo Mendoza; by Monday the publisher's president had been fined over half a million euros and the case, after several stops and starts over the years, was moving to trial.

The New Yorker

The current hearings are the final step before the cases move to full trial next year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "move to trial", ensure the context clearly indicates that pre-trial procedures such as discovery and negotiations have concluded, and the case is now ready for courtroom proceedings.

Common error

Avoid using "move to trial" prematurely when the case is still in the preliminary stages of investigation or discovery. This phrase is appropriate only when all pre-trial activities are substantially complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move to trial" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, indicating the progression of a legal case to the trial phase. It specifies the action of transitioning from pre-trial procedures to the actual court hearing. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "move to trial" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the progression of a legal case to the trial phase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently used in news and media, and has a neutral to professional register. Common alternatives include "proceed to trial" and "advance to trial". Ensure that the context accurately reflects the stage of the legal proceedings to avoid misuse. While the phrase is not very common, when you need to indicate that pre-trial stages are complete and a case is now heading to court, "move to trial" is a sound choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceed to trial

Replaces "move" with "proceed", emphasizing the continuation of the legal process.

advance to trial

Substitutes "move" with "advance", highlighting the forward progression of the case.

go to trial

A more concise and direct way of saying "move to trial", focusing on the destination.

progress to trial

Uses "progress" instead of "move", indicating a stage-by-stage advancement.

reach the trial stage

Rephrases the concept to focus on arriving at the trial stage of a legal process.

be set for trial

Indicates that the arrangements for the trial have been made and it is scheduled to happen.

be scheduled for trial

Similar to "be set for trial", but emphasizes the scheduling aspect.

be brought to trial

Highlights the action of bringing the case to the trial phase.

transition to trial

Focuses on the shift from pre-trial phases to the trial itself.

shift to trial

Similar to "transition to trial", emphasizing the change in the process.

FAQs

What does "move to trial" mean in a legal context?

In legal terms, "move to trial" signifies that a case has progressed beyond the initial stages of investigation, discovery, and negotiation, and is now scheduled for courtroom proceedings where evidence will be presented and a judgment will be made.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "move to trial"?

It's appropriate to use "move to trial" when you want to indicate that a case is advancing from pre-trial phases to the actual trial phase. Ensure that pre-trial activities like discovery and settlement talks have largely concluded.

What are some alternatives to "move to trial"?

You can use alternatives like "proceed to trial", "advance to trial", or "go to trial" depending on the context.

Is "move to trial" formal or informal language?

The phrase "move to trial" is considered relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is most commonly found in legal and news reporting.