trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "trial" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a test or experiment, a judicial process, or to a difficult situation. For example, "The rebels are facing trial for their alleged war crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the second with a 0.5% formulation was supported by the results, published in February, of a smaller trial run by the HIV Prevention Trials Network.

The Economist

ReprintsThe first "arm" of the trial, in which PRO 2000 formed 2% of the gel, was abandoned early because results elsewhere suggested this was an ineffective mix.

The Economist

The DUP leader's ultimatum followed the collapse of the trial of John Downey, suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing which killed four soldiers.

The Guardian

They were arrested as a result of the British policy of internment without trial in 1971 when thousands of suspects, mainly from Ireland's nationalist-republican community, were rounded up.

The Guardian

Related: Ebola crisis – the Guardian briefing The rapidly dropping number of cases will make it a considerable challenge to trial vaccines against Ebola.

The Guardian

(I confess I felt a lot like John Waters in the 1980s, when he attended – for research purposes, and alone – a Saturday-morning screening of The Care Bears Movie during the notorious McMartin pre-school devil-worship and child-abuse trial).

The Guardian - Film

That was how long it took the run the Dante Stakes at York, the most reliable Derby trial in recent years.

The Guardian - Sport

The verdict came after about five hours of deliberation in the case against Suleiman Abu Ghaith, the highest-ranking al-Qaida figure to face trial on US soil since the attacks.

The Guardian

Trial is scheduled to continue through 19 December.

The Guardian

At 15 I had a trial with Dundalk, just across the border, and at 16 I got into the first team as a 30-bob-a-week amateur.

The Guardian - Sport

Talking to the Observer is clearly something of a trial for Musharaf, who has asked Burton to be in the room during the interview.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trial" to denote a difficult experience only when emphasizing hardship or adversity.

Common error

Avoid using "trial" when a simple attempt or effort is meant. Instead, use words like "attempt", "effort", or "try" to convey the meaning of a non-formal attempt. Saying "I will trial to fix it" is incorrect; instead, say "I will try to fix it".

Linguistic Context

The word "trial" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a formal examination in court or a test of something. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is also used as a verb, meaning to test something. Ludwig shows examples of its adjectival use as well.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "trial" is a versatile term used to describe a legal proceeding, a difficult experience, or an experimental test. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business settings. While "trial" has multiple meanings, it is essential to use it appropriately based on the context, avoiding misinterpretations. Alternative phrases like "court case", "ordeal", or "test run" can provide more precise meanings depending on the intended message. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, "trial" remains a critical term for communicating legal, experimental, and personal experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

test run

Focuses on the experimental aspect, emphasizing a preliminary test to evaluate performance.

court case

Specifically refers to a legal proceeding in a court of law.

judicial proceeding

A formal legal process in a court, emphasizing the procedural aspect.

ordeal

Highlights the difficult or painful nature of an experience.

tribulation

Emphasizes a cause of great trouble or suffering.

tryout

Refers to an evaluation of someone's skills or abilities.

hearing

A formal meeting where evidence is presented.

experiment

Focuses on a scientific procedure for making a discovery.

examination

A detailed investigation or study.

probation

A period of testing or assessment.

FAQs

How is the word "trial" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "trial" refers to a formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically a jury, in order to decide guilt or innocence in a criminal case or to resolve a dispute in a civil case. It's a structured process governed by rules of evidence and procedure.

What are some synonyms for "trial" when referring to a difficult experience?

When "trial" refers to a difficult experience, you can use synonyms like "ordeal", "tribulation", hardship, or adversity to convey the sense of hardship or suffering.

Which is correct: "clinical trial" or "clinical probation"?

"Clinical trial" is the correct term for a research study that evaluates the effects of medical, surgical, or behavioral interventions. "Clinical probation" is not a standard or recognized term in this context.

How to use "trial" to mean a test or experiment?

When "trial" means a test or experiment, it's often used to describe a preliminary assessment of something. For instance, "a test run" and "pilot project" are both closely related