under subpoena

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under subpoena" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that someone is required to appear in court or produce evidence as ordered by a subpoena. Example: "The witness was under subpoena to testify in the high-profile trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're still under subpoena.

The New York Times

Testimony of witnesses appearing under subpoena may be obtained orally.

Cornell University

The Republicans received it, under subpoena, earlier today.

The New York Times

§ 19.18 Sequestration of witnesses and exclusion of counsel in interviews conducted under subpoena.

Cornell University

So what if he's under subpoena by the House Judiciary Committee?

The New York Times

He said Mr. Hines turned over his records only under subpoena.

The New York Times

He remains under subpoena, however, and the committee may call him later.

The New York Times

People appear either voluntarily or under subpoena and are questioned without their lawyer.

The Guardian

He was not under subpoena, and thus had no obligation to appear at a time certain.

The New York Times

"But you're not here under subpoena," the 2016 Democratic vice-presidential nominee lamented.

The Washington Post

A blood test performed under subpoena seven hours after the accident showed no alcohol in his system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, use "under subpoena" to maintain a formal tone and avoid ambiguity. It clearly signifies a legal obligation, distinguishing it from voluntary cooperation.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "under subpoena" automatically implies guilt or wrongdoing. It simply means the individual is required to provide information or testimony, not that they are accused of a crime.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under subpoena" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a legal status or condition. It modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying that the individual or entity is subject to a legal summons. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under subpoena" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe the legal status of being required to appear in court or provide evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts. When writing, remember that being "under subpoena" doesn't imply guilt, but rather a legal obligation. Alternatives include "compelled to testify" or "summoned to appear". This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of its proper use and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subpoenaed to appear

Modifies the verb to emphasize the action of being subpoenaed.

subject to a subpoena

Changes the structure to highlight the subjection to the legal process.

required by subpoena

Rephrases to stress that the subpoena is the source of the requirement.

compelled to testify

Focuses on the action of being forced to give testimony, changing the emphasis from the legal instrument to the action.

ordered to testify

Focuses on the directive to provide testimony, simplifying the legal context.

summoned to appear

Highlights the act of being officially called to present oneself, shifting from the legal writ to the act of summoning.

legally required to appear

Emphasizes the legal obligation aspect, clarifying the nature of the compulsion.

mandated to testify

Highlights the obligatory nature of the testimony, indicating a formal requirement.

formally summoned

Emphasizes the official nature of the summons.

under court order

Broadens the context to any legal order, not just a subpoena.

FAQs

How to use "under subpoena" in a sentence?

Use "under subpoena" to indicate that someone is legally required to appear in court or provide evidence. For example: "The witness was "compelled to testify" because they were "under subpoena"."

What does it mean to be "under subpoena"?

To be "under subpoena" means that a person has been served with a legal document ordering them to appear in court or provide documents. Failure to comply can result in legal penalties.

What can I say instead of "under subpoena"?

You can use alternatives like ""compelled to testify"", "summoned to appear", or "legally required to appear" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "under subpoena" and "voluntarily cooperating"?

"Under subpoena" indicates a legal obligation to comply, while "voluntarily cooperating" means someone is providing information or assistance without being legally compelled to do so. One is mandatory, the other is optional.