oral statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "oral statement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that someone said or something that is related to verbal communication. For example, "The witness gave an oral statement that contradicted the other testimony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"I did stumble in my oral statement," he said.

The New York Times

He said: "There should have been an oral statement in the Commons.

The Guardian

Davey will make an oral statement to parliament on the changes on Monday afternoon.

The Guardian - Money

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke will make an oral statement on the issue in the House of Commons at about 3.30pm.

The Guardian

They should then prepare a short oral statement summarizing their country's support of NATO's shift in mission.

The New York Times

We've also got an oral statement from Nicky Morgan, the new education secretary, about the Peter Clarke inquiry into the Birmingham "Trojan horse" affair.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Ministers undertook to give oral statements every quarter on the conduct of the air campaign.

The Guardian

Mr. Lavrov said that "we shouldn't rely on oral statements" from North Korea or others.

The New York Times

This includes "their look, external appearance, clothing, gestures and written or oral statements".

The New York Times - Sports

There were two important announcements, on local government spending and Lords reform, accompanied by oral statements to the Commons.

The Guardian

"These actions breached the agreement, as the defendants disclosed written and oral statements made during the conference to nonparticipants in the conference," the countersuit states.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting legal proceedings or formal discussions, accurately transcribe "oral statements" to maintain a precise record. Ensure clarity and context are preserved.

Common error

Avoid using "verbal statement" when you specifically mean a spoken statement that may not involve structured language. "Verbal" can refer to any use of words, written or spoken, while "oral" exclusively means spoken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "oral statement" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "oral" modifies "statement". This phrase is used to identify a specific type of statement delivered through speech, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "oral statement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as affirmed by Ludwig. It denotes a statement made verbally, often in formal settings like legal proceedings or parliamentary debates. While it's generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of differentiating it from "verbal statement", which encompasses both spoken and written communication. As the analysis shows, this expression commonly appears in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider "spoken declaration" or "verbal communication" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spoken declaration

Focuses on the act of declaring something verbally.

verbal communication

Highlights the communication aspect using words.

spoken testimony

Emphasizes the testimonial nature of the statement.

verbal account

Highlights the narration or recounting of events.

live declaration

Emphasizes that the declaration is happening in real-time.

unwritten statement

Contrasts it with written form emphasizing it is spoken.

vocal assertion

Highlights the act of asserting something verbally.

verbal representation

Focuses on the act of representing something verbally.

on-the-record statement

Emphasizes that the declaration is officially recorded.

direct communication

Highlights the directness and immediacy of the communication.

FAQs

How can I use "oral statement" in a sentence?

You can use "oral statement" to describe a spoken declaration or testimony, as in, "The witness provided an "oral statement" to the court".

What is the difference between an "oral statement" and a written one?

An "oral statement" is delivered verbally, while a written statement is documented in writing. The key difference is the mode of communication.

What are some synonyms for "oral statement"?

Alternatives include "spoken declaration", "verbal communication", or "spoken testimony", depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "oral statement"?

"Oral statement" is suitable in legal, political, and formal settings, such as court hearings, parliamentary sessions, and formal reports where a spoken declaration is recorded.