signed in the presence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "signed in the presence of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two or more people witness the signature of a document. For example, "The contract was signed in the presence of John Doe and Jane Doe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The document must be printed and signed in the presence of at least two witnesses.

The New York Times

"A will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses.

The Guardian - Money

The memorandum was signed in the presence of George Papandreou, the prime minister, and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, the emir of Qatar.

The New York Times

Electors were sent ballot papers and a "declaration of identity" to confirm they had the right to vote, which had to be signed in the presence of and by a witness.

The Guardian

The two men be came close friends, and when Mr. Ide told Stevenson that his small daughter suffered keenly from having been born on Christmas Day, because she received only one set of presents, Stevenson was touched and formally made over to her his birthday, by means of a document signed in the presence of two witnesses.

The New Yorker

In addition, if the power of attorney includes the authority to make total annual gifts of more than $500 to one person or charity, that power must be included in a separate rider that, like a will, must be signed in the presence of two witnesses.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

This was drafted with the guidance and signed in the presence not only of WHO's Regional Director for the Western Pacific Region but also of representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

IN FAITH WHEREOF the undersigned representatives of the Contracting Parties have signed hereafter, in the presence of the United Nations Acting Mediator on Palestine and the United Nations Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization.

Yale University

MIC measurements confirm that M182T alone and the combination T265M and E104K ameliorate the negative interaction between G238S and R164S and change it from reciprocal sign epistasis to sign epistasis in the presence of CTX (Table 1).

Evolutionary Applications

If individuals cannot express their own wishes and cannot give informed consent, the authority to make such decisions passes to a surrogate decision maker, such as a legal guardian, spouse, or parent, who signs it in the presence of witnesses and the doctor.

Britannica

In brief, subjects first read and understood a consent form, signing it in the presence of the Principal Investigator.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "signed in the presence of", ensure that the witnesses are disinterested parties who are not beneficiaries of the document being signed. This strengthens the document's legal standing.

Common error

Avoid using family members or individuals with a vested interest as witnesses when a document is "signed in the presence of" witnesses. This can lead to legal challenges regarding impartiality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "signed in the presence of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, typically indicating the circumstances under which a signature was made. It highlights the formal aspect of witnessing the act of signing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "signed in the presence of" is a prepositional phrase that indicates a formal witnessing of a signature, predominantly used to validate legal documents. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase adheres to standard English grammar and is commonly used across various contexts, including news, legal documentation, and official agreements. Its formality ranges from neutral to formal and serves to add credibility to the act of signing. Common alternatives include "witnessed by" and "attested by".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the presence of witnesses

Highlights the presence of multiple witnesses during the signing.

Before witnesses

A more concise way of indicating that the signing occurred with witnesses present.

With witnesses present

Similar to 'before witnesses' but emphasizes the contemporaneous presence of witnesses.

Witnessed by

Emphasizes the role of a witness in observing an event or signature.

In view of witnesses

Suggests that the signing occurred within the line of sight of the witnesses.

Attested by

Focuses on the act of bearing witness, often in a legal or formal context.

Verified by

Focuses on the confirmation of authenticity, often through signature.

Countersigned by

Implies that another party also signed the document, validating the initial signature.

Authenticated by

Implies a formal process of confirming the validity of the signature or document.

Endorsed by

Indicates approval or support, similar to witnessing in a validation context.

FAQs

How do I properly use "signed in the presence of" in a sentence?

Use "signed in the presence of" to indicate that a document was officially signed while witnesses were present. Example: "The contract was "signed in the presence of" a notary and two witnesses".

What is a good alternative to "signed in the presence of"?

Alternatives include "witnessed by", "attested by", or "before witnesses", depending on the level of formality required.

What makes a witness qualified when a document is "signed in the presence of" witnesses?

A qualified witness is typically an adult of sound mind who is not a beneficiary of the document. Requirements can vary by jurisdiction, so it's important to check local regulations.

Is it always necessary for a document to be "signed in the presence of" a notary?

Not all documents require notarization, but having a document "signed in the presence of" a notary public adds an extra layer of verification and can prevent future disputes.