testify
gb/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ/ us/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ/
B2
Inglés
~ 7800
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
formal
B2
action
1
give evidence in a legal setting
To speak in court and say what you know about a crime or legal problem, usually after promising to tell the truth.
Patrón de uso:
to testify in [court] / to testify about [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "testify" with "test" and say things like *"He will test in court"* instead of *"He will testify in court"*. Another common mistake is using a direct object incorrectly, e.g. *"He testified the crime"*. Instead, say *"He testified about the crime"* or *"He testified that he saw the crime"*.
Sinónimos
give evidence (Common legal phrase; slightly more general and less formal-sounding than testify, can include written or spoken statements.)
Antónimos
remain silent (Describes choosing not to speak or give information, especially when you have the right not to testify.)
Colocaciones
testify in court
|testify under oath
|testify before a jury
|testify before Congress
|be called to testify
|refuse to testify
Temas
law
|justice
|communication
Ejemplos
- Several witnesses will testify in court about what they saw that night.
- The former employee agreed to testify against his old boss in the fraud trial.
- She was nervous when she was called to testify before the grand jury.
- The doctor testified under oath that the injuries were not accidental.
- He refused to testify, citing his right not to incriminate himself.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The woman will testify in court tomorrow.
- He has to testify about the car accident.
- The man did not want to testify against his friend.
- The judge asked the witness to stand and testify.
- Many people came to court to testify in the trial.
Verbo
B2
action
2
state as true from experience
To say in a strong way that something is true because you know it from your own life or experience.
Patrón de uso:
to testify to [something] / to testify that [clause]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "testify" where a simpler verb like "say" or "tell" is more natural in everyday speech. For example, *"He testified that the movie was good"* sounds overly strong or formal; in casual talk, "He said the movie was good" is better. Also, the preposition is often wrong: it is usually *"testify to something"* (not *"testify about something"*) in this general, non-legal sense.
Sinónimos
attest (More formal; often used in written English and official contexts when confirming that something is true or correct.)
Antónimos
deny (Means to say that something is not true, which is the opposite of testifying that it is true.)
Colocaciones
testify to [someone's character]
|testify that [clause]
|personally testify
|can testify
|experience testifies to
Temas
communication
|opinions
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Anyone who has worked with her can testify to her honesty and hard work.
- I can personally testify that this treatment is effective.
- Their long, happy marriage testifies to their deep mutual respect.
- Several colleagues testified that he was always punctual and reliable.
- The smooth running of the event testifies to months of careful planning.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I can testify that she is a very kind person.
- Her friends testify that she always helps other people.
- People who know him well testify to his good character.
- Many users testify that the app is easy to use.
- Workers testify that the new manager is fair.
Verbo
formal
C1
action
3
speak publicly about faith
To speak in front of other people, often in a church, and tell them what you believe and what you think God has done for you.
Patrón de uso:
to testify about [one's faith] / to testify to [God's goodness]
Error frecuente:
Learners may not realize this meaning is mainly used in Christian or similar religious contexts. Using it about general opinions (e.g. *"He testified about his love for football"*) sounds strange; in such cases, verbs like "talk" or "speak" are better.
Sinónimos
witness (In Christian contexts, "witness" as a verb has a very similar meaning, but can also include living in a way that shows one’s faith, not just speaking.)
Antónimos
hide your faith (Describes choosing not to speak openly about your religious beliefs, which contrasts with publicly testifying about them.)
Colocaciones
testify in church
|testify about God's goodness
|testify about your faith
|stand up and testify
|testify to God's love
Temas
religion
|communication
Ejemplos
- Several members of the congregation stood to testify about how their lives had changed.
- He often testifies in church about his recovery from addiction.
- She felt called to testify to God's faithfulness during the service.
- At the meeting, new believers were invited to testify about their experiences.
- He was shy, but he decided to testify publicly about his faith.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The man stood and testified about his faith.
- She likes to testify in church about how God helped her.
- New members testified about their life stories.
- He wants to testify to God's love.
- Many people came forward to testify about what they believe.
Verbo
formal
C1
action
4
serve as evidence or proof
When facts or things show very clearly that something is true.
Patrón de uso:
[something] testifies to [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes try to use this sense with a person as the subject in very casual contexts, where simple verbs like "show" or "prove" are more natural. Also, they may forget the preposition "to" and say *"The results testify the success"* instead of *"The results testify to the success"*.
Sinónimos
demonstrate (Very close in meaning but more common; often used for evidence clearly showing that something is true.)
Antónimos
contradict (If evidence contradicts a claim, it shows the claim is not true, which is the opposite of testifying to it.)
Colocaciones
results testify to
|figures testify to
|records testify to
|success testifies to
|survival testifies to
Temas
science
|communication
|analysis
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- These impressive results testify to the team's hard work.
- The scars on his hands testify to years of physical labor.
- Old letters and photos testify to the close friendship they once had.
- The building’s simple design testifies to the architect’s minimalist style.
- The low crime rates testify to the effectiveness of the new policy.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The good exam scores testify to the students' effort.
- These numbers testify to the company’s growth.
- The clean streets testify to the city’s good work.
- Her strong health testifies to her healthy lifestyle.
- The happy faces testify to the success of the party.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
testify
AFI
GB/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ/
US/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ/
Sílabas y acento
testi - fy (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (testi)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: testify
- 3rd Person Singular: testifies
- Present Participle: testifying
- Past: testified
Familia de palabras
Forms
testifies
verb
testifying
verb
testified
verb
Core family
testimony
noun B2
Related words
testimonial
noun B2
Advanced or less common
testifier
noun
Expresiones
be called to testify
1/bˈi kˈɔld tə tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
be officially asked to testify
To be officially asked to come to a court or meeting and speak as a witness.
Ejemplos
- She was surprised to be called to testify in the trial.
- Several experts were called to testify about the safety of the product.
refuse to testify
1/ɹɪfjˈuz tə tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
choose not to give evidence
To say you will not speak or give information in court, even when you are asked to do so.
Ejemplos
- He invoked his legal rights and refused to testify.
- Several officials refused to testify, citing ongoing investigations.
testify against [someone]
1/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ əɡˈɛnst sˈʌmwˌʌn/
phrasal verb
formal
give evidence harming someone in court
To speak in court and give information that makes a person look guilty or look bad in a legal case.
Ejemplos
- He agreed to testify against his former partner in exchange for a lighter sentence.
- Several witnesses are expected to testify against the accused at tomorrow’s hearing.
testify before Congress
1/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ bɪfˈɔɹ kˈɑŋɡɹəs/
fixed phrase
formal
give evidence to a legislature
To speak in front of members of Congress and give information, usually in a formal public meeting.
Ejemplos
- The CEO was called to testify before Congress about the company’s data practices.
- Scientists testified before Congress on the impacts of climate change.
testify for [someone]
1/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ fɚ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
phrasal verb
formal
give evidence supporting someone in court
To speak in court and give information that helps a person or makes the person look innocent or better in a legal case.
Ejemplos
- Her coworkers came to testify for her at the disciplinary hearing.
- The lawyer was relieved when a new witness agreed to testify for the defendant.
testify to [something]
1/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
formal
state or show something is true
To clearly say or show that something is true, often because of your experience or because the facts show it.
Ejemplos
- Many satisfied customers testify to the quality of the product.
- His long list of publications testifies to his influence in the field.
testify under oath
1/tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ ˈʌndɚ ˈoʊθ/
fixed phrase
formal
give evidence after swearing truth
To speak in court after making a legal promise that you will tell only the truth.
Ejemplos
- The witness testified under oath that he had seen the suspect at the scene.
- If you testify under oath, you can be punished for lying.