testifying to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "testifying to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is providing evidence or making a statement about something, often in a formal context. Example: "The witness was testifying to the events that took place on the night of the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"He's taking the not testifying to the nth degree".

The New York Times - Sports

She has been tireless in writing articles, testifying to Congress, and offering advice to the regulators.

The New Yorker

History has offered some bleak lessons, with tons of wreckage testifying to the danger.

The New York Times - Science

Other voters, from elsewhere in the country, spoke fondly of Ford, testifying to his appeal.

The New Yorker

He personally flew the documents to Berlin, along with a report testifying to their significance.

The New Yorker

He was testifying to a Senate foreign relations panel today, shortly after the sanctions vote.

Independent

2.14pm: Back in Moscow, Liam is testifying to some sort of Party court-martial.

The Guardian - Film

He was testifying to his deep love of the beautiful sacred music produced by his ancestors.

The New Yorker

This summer, close to 20 live events are testifying to the opera house's rebirth.

The New York Times - Arts

American Jews generally don't have government papers testifying to their Jewishness.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are imposing monuments, intricate contraptions, testifying to the power of their creators.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "testifying to" when you want to emphasize that something serves as evidence or proof of a particular fact or quality. For example, "The numerous awards are 'testifying to' the restaurant's exceptional service."

Common error

Avoid using "testifying to" in very informal contexts. While generally acceptable, it can sound overly formal or legalistic in casual conversation. Alternatives like "showing" or "proving" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "testifying to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces evidence or support for a claim. It highlights that something serves as proof or confirmation, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "testifying to" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something serves as evidence or proof. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts. While it can be considered somewhat formal, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and business writing. When aiming for a more casual tone, simpler alternatives like "showing" or "proving" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "testifying to" when you want to emphasize the evidentiary nature of something, as in "The increasing sales figures are 'testifying to' the product's success."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attesting to

Synonymous, but slightly more formal.

confirming

Focuses on reinforcing a statement or fact.

substantiating

Implies providing concrete evidence or proof.

demonstrating

Highlights the act of showing or proving something.

verifying

Emphasizes the process of checking or validating.

evidencing

Highlights the presence of evidence.

bearing witness to

More emphatic and often used in personal contexts.

standing as proof of

Implies a strong, undeniable confirmation.

giving credence to

Indicates providing support or belief.

corroborating

Providing supporting evidence to an already existing claim or finding.

FAQs

How can I use "testifying to" in a sentence?

Use "testifying to" to indicate that something serves as evidence or proof. For example, "The high attendance rate is 'testifying to' the popularity of the event."

What phrases can I use instead of "testifying to"?

You can use alternatives such as "attesting to", "confirming", or "demonstrating" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "testifying to" too formal for casual writing?

While "testifying to" is generally acceptable, it may sound overly formal in very casual contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "showing" or "proving" for a more relaxed tone.

What's the difference between "testifying to" and "attesting to"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "attesting to" is slightly more formal and often implies a personal declaration or statement of truth, whereas "testifying to" can refer to more general evidence.