Meaning & use
testify
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Meanings
verbintransitive
To make a formal statement about what you know, especially in a court of law after promising to tell the truth.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'against' or 'for' someone, or 'that' + clause: She testified that she saw him.
Patterns
- testify against someone
- testify for someone
- testify that ...
- testify in court
The witness agreed to testify against the man accused of robbery.
She testified that she had seen the car leave the scene.
He was too frightened to testify in court.
verbintransitiveformal
To show clearly that something is true or exists; to be evidence of something.
Grammar: No object; followed by 'to' + noun: The empty shelves testify to the shortage.
Patterns
- testify to something
The many awards testify to her skill as a writer.
His tired face testified to months of hard work.
Word forms
| third person singular | testifies |
|---|---|
| past tense | testified |
| past participle | testified |
| -ing form | testifying |
Common combinations
- testify in court
- She was called to testify in court about the accident.
- testify against someone
- He refused to testify against his brother.
- testify on behalf of someone
- A doctor testified on behalf of the injured worker.
- testify under oath
- Witnesses must testify under oath.
- testify to something
- The ruins testify to the city's former greatness.
Synonyms and how they differ
- witness
- Use 'witness' when you see an event and can describe it; 'testify' focuses on the formal statement you make afterward, especially in court.
- attest
- 'Attest' is more formal and often used for written or official confirmation, while 'testify' is usually spoken in a legal setting.
- swear
- 'Swear' means to make a serious promise or statement, but 'testify' specifically means giving evidence as a witness.
Word family
- testimony noun
- A formal statement, especially one given in court.
- testimonial noun
- A written or spoken statement praising someone's qualities or performance.
Commonly confused: testify or testament?
testify vs testament
'Testament' means proof or evidence (e.g., 'a testament to his courage'), not the act of giving evidence in court.
Practice
The witness was asked to ______ against the defendant.
Choose one answer.
After 'to' we need the base form of the verb, so 'testify' is correct. 'Testifying' would be wrong because 'to' here is not a preposition but part of the infinitive.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “testify”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.