testifies

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "testifies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone expresses evidence which supports a statement or something that has happened. For example: "The witness's statement testifies to her involvement in the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A single bite of cloudlike scallop-and-lobster dumpling in cherrystone-scented soup testifies to the benefits of the process.

The New York Times - Food

Many women love menstrual sex – and, even if they don't, the controversy over its omission in the movie testifies to its power on women's imagination.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.51am ET16 51 You can almost see Yellen's Brooklyn accent in this AP photo: Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, before the House Financial Services Committee hearing.

The Guardian - Business

This omission testifies to something immature, obtuse and testosteroney in the Oscar taste.

The Guardian

But, as Katie testifies, things can get rough.

The Guardian

But the fact that they were unable to anticipate or prevent the attack testifies to the difficulties of dealing with a new fragmented terrorism faced by Europe and the West".Where the French and British services may differ, however, is in their ability to win the support of the communities from which would-be terrorists are most likely to emerge.

The Economist

Yet the fact that his ramshackle coalition of 18 parties took 64% of the vote in last month's poll, far more than any other grouping, testifies to his managerial nous.

The Economist

It testifies to the mammoth efforts that have been made in recent years to revive America's nuclear industry—and to the disappointing results.The half-built reactors at Vogtle are the first new ones to be approved in America since 1979, when a radioactive leak from Three Mile Island, a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, ruined the industry's already troubled reputation.

The Economist

And it is thanks to IMG that Tiger Woods carries the Nike swoosh and testifies in TV commercials to the benefits of American Express.

The Economist

Its survival testifies to the emperor's foresight and his pride; he ordered that it must never be altered.

The Economist

Security is gradually to be taken over by a revamped national police force and a new army, both being recruited and trained by an American firm, DynCorp, which is being paid by the United States.That testifies to the bountiful support Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf gets from the Bush administration and to the historical ties between the two countries; Liberia was founded in 1847 by freed American slaves.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "testifies" when you want to emphasize that something serves as strong evidence or proof of a particular fact or claim. This verb adds a sense of authority and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "testifies" when the evidence is weak or circumstantial. Opt for verbs like "suggests" or "indicates" if the connection is not definitive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "testifies" is as a verb in the third-person singular present tense. It's used to indicate that something provides evidence or proof, aligning with Ludwig's identification of it as a verb signifying evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "testifies" functions as a verb used to indicate strong evidence or proof supporting a claim. As Ludwig AI suggests, the term is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Its frequency of use is high, primarily within news, formal business, and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "attests to" and "bears witness to", while common errors involve using it for weaker associations. By leveraging these insights, writers can effectively employ "testifies" to add authority and credibility to their statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attests to

This alternative also means providing proof or evidence of something, offering a similar level of formality.

bears witness to

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the act of personally witnessing something and confirming its truth.

serves as evidence of

More formal and emphasizes the role of something as proof.

proves

A more direct and forceful way of stating that something provides conclusive evidence.

demonstrates

Highlights the act of showing something clearly through evidence or example.

indicates

Suggests that something points to a particular conclusion or fact, without being as definitive as "proves".

confirms

Emphasizes that something validates or verifies a prior statement or belief.

validates

Suggests that something makes other things true or correct by supplying confirmation.

substantiates

Highlights the act of providing solid or concrete support for a claim or statement.

bears out

An idiomatic phrase which refers to confirming the truth.

FAQs

How do I use "testifies" in a sentence?

Use "testifies" to indicate that something provides strong evidence or proof. For example, "The data "testifies" to the effectiveness of the treatment."

What can I say instead of "testifies"?

You can use alternatives like "attests to", "bears witness to", or "serves as evidence of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "testifies to" or "testifies of"?

"Testifies to" is the correct and more common usage. "Testifies of" is less frequent and might sound archaic.

What's the difference between "testifies" and "suggests"?

"Testifies" implies stronger, more conclusive evidence, while "suggests" indicates a possibility or a hint, but not definitive proof.