upon testimony

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon testimony" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something is based on or supported by testimony or evidence provided by a witness. Example: "The verdict was reached upon testimony from several credible witnesses who corroborated the events of that night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And finally, he said, plaintiffs in a lawsuit would have to rely upon testimony of children whose dubious behavior and backgrounds would easily call their credibility into question.

The New York Times

Snell called upon testimony from Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley, which he gave in absentia but in unambiguous terms, describing GM as having, through its subsidiaries, "scrapped the Pacific Electric and Los Angeles streetcar systems, leaving the electric train system totally destroyed".

The Guardian

Option (ii), however, must be wrong, for it cannot be a condition upon testimony that the hearer already knows that what was said is true.

SEP

Factual truth, she writes, "is always related to other people: it concerns events and circumstances in which many are involved; it is established by witnesses and depends upon testimony … It is political by nature".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He drew upon eyewitness testimony and was critical of reported miracles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Worse, most inquiries depend almost exclusively upon the testimony of abuse survivors.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You cannot convict this man," Mr. Martin told the jury, "based upon the testimony you heard on the witness stand".

The New York Times

Darling!" Whether it draws upon trial testimony or the author's imagination, the book memorably points out that Lorraine had never heard her disagreeable father called "darling" before.

The New York Times - Books

Lawyers for El Paso seized upon the testimony as evidence of sloppy research and said it signaled how weak the case was because El Paso's accusers could not pinpoint how much blame should rest with the company.

The New York Times

At once admirable and deeply unsettling, this film draws upon the testimony of little more than a handful of the all-but-vanished ranks of survivors to relate the horror of the Nazi purge of homosexuals from the life of Germany and the aftereffects that scar and roil these men as the 21st century begins.

The New York Times

Such a climate is made up of two things: first, society, professionals and individuals recognising and acknowledging that abuse is likely or has occurred; second, all of those people, and society as a whole, being willing to hear, believe and act upon the testimony of abuse victims and survivors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal or legal writing, "upon testimony" can add a layer of formality. However, consider using "based on testimony" for clarity and modern style.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "upon" can make your writing sound archaic. Ensure "upon" adds value and isn't simply a stylistic choice when "on" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon testimony" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates the basis or foundation for a claim, decision, or belief, as supported by Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon testimony" is a grammatically correct phrase, although less common in contemporary English. According to Ludwig, it typically functions as a prepositional phrase indicating reliance on witness statements. The analysis of real-world examples suggests its primary use in formal contexts such as news reports and academic papers, lending credibility to factual claims. While acceptable, consider alternatives like "based on testimony" for improved clarity in modern writing. It's deemed a correct and usable phrase, but its infrequent usage suggests being mindful of context and audience to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on testimony

Direct replacement with a more common preposition.

relying on testimony

Focuses on the act of relying, emphasizing dependence.

dependent on testimony

Highlights the condition of being reliant on testimony.

predicated on testimony

Implies a logical foundation built upon the testimony.

contingent on testimony

Emphasizes that something is subject to the truthfulness of the testimony.

grounded in testimony

Suggests a strong and stable foundation of testimony.

supported by testimony

Highlights the corroborative role of the testimony.

founded on testimony

Indicates that the basis is the testimony provided.

drawing from testimony

Emphasizes the act of extracting information from the testimony.

according to the testimony

Attribution of information to the specific testimony.

FAQs

How can I use "upon testimony" in a sentence?

You can use "upon testimony" to indicate that a conclusion, judgment, or belief is based on the statements given by witnesses. For example, "The court reached its decision "based on testimony" from multiple sources".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "upon testimony"?

Some alternatives to "upon testimony" include "based on testimony", "relying on testimony", and "according to testimony". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "upon testimony" considered formal language?

Yes, "upon testimony" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "based on testimony" or "from the testimony". It's appropriate for legal documents and formal reports.

Which is more common: "upon testimony" or "based on testimony"?

"Based on testimony" is more commonly used in contemporary English than "upon testimony". While both are grammatically correct, the former is often preferred for its simplicity and directness.