trials in 30 Seconds
- Trials are formal examinations of evidence in a court of law to decide legal cases or determine the guilt of a defendant.
- The word also describes systematic tests, such as clinical trials for medicine or product testing, to evaluate quality and performance.
- In a personal context, trials refer to difficult experiences or hardships that test an individual's endurance, patience, and strength of character.
- In sports, trials are qualifying competitions where athletes compete to earn a spot on a team or in a major tournament.
The word trials is a versatile noun that functions in several distinct spheres of human activity, ranging from the highly structured environment of a courtroom to the rigorous world of scientific research and the deeply personal realm of human suffering. At its core, the term implies a process of testing or examination to determine the truth, quality, or endurance of a subject. In a legal context, trials are formal proceedings where evidence is presented to a judge or jury to decide the guilt or innocence of an individual or to resolve a civil dispute. This usage is perhaps the most common in news media and television dramas, where the 'trial of the century' often captures public imagination. Beyond the law, the word is indispensable in science and technology. Clinical trials, for instance, are the essential stages through which new medicines must pass before they are deemed safe for public consumption. Here, the 'trial' is a controlled experiment designed to prove a hypothesis or the efficacy of a product. In a more abstract and literary sense, trials refer to the hardships and difficulties that people face in life. These are the 'trials and tribulations' that test a person's character, patience, and resilience. Whether it is a student facing the trials of a difficult exam season or an athlete enduring the physical trials of training, the word conveys a sense of struggle that leads to a definitive outcome.
- Legal Context
- A formal examination of evidence by a judge, typically in a courtroom, to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
- Scientific Context
- A series of tests or experiments conducted to evaluate the performance, safety, or effectiveness of a new product or theory.
- Personal Context
- Difficult experiences or hardships that test a person's endurance, faith, or strength of character.
The pharmaceutical company is currently conducting phase three clinical trials to ensure the vaccine is safe for all age groups.
After months of preparation, the high-profile murder trials finally began in the supreme court yesterday morning.
She viewed her recent financial difficulties as one of the many trials she had to overcome to achieve her long-term goals.
The Olympic trials are the only way for athletes to secure a spot on the national team for the upcoming games.
The software is still in its beta trials, meaning users might encounter several bugs before the final release.
Using the word trials correctly requires an understanding of its collocations—the words it naturally sits next to. In a legal context, trials are 'held,' 'conducted,' or 'awaited.' A defendant might 'stand trial' or 'face trial.' For example, 'The suspect will stand trial for burglary next month.' In scientific and technical contexts, trials are 'performed,' 'run,' or 'undergone.' You might say, 'The new engine underwent rigorous sea trials before being approved for production.' When discussing life's challenges, the word often appears in the plural form and is frequently paired with 'tribulations.' This idiomatic expression, 'trials and tribulations,' emphasizes the variety and intensity of the problems faced. For instance, 'The book chronicles the trials and tribulations of a young immigrant in New York.' It is also important to distinguish between 'trial' (singular) and 'trials' (plural). While 'a trial' refers to one specific instance, 'trials' often refers to a series of tests or a general category of hardship. In sports, 'trials' are usually plural because they involve multiple heats or rounds of competition, such as the 'World Championship trials.' Grammatically, 'trials' is the plural form of the noun 'trial,' and it follows standard subject-verb agreement rules. If 'trials' is the subject, the verb must be plural: 'The trials were long and exhausting.'
- Verb Pairings
- Common verbs include: conduct, undergo, face, await, stand, and perform.
- Adjective Modifiers
- Common adjectives include: clinical, criminal, rigorous, arduous, and preliminary.
- Prepositional Use
- Often used with 'of' (trials of life), 'for' (trials for murder), or 'by' (trial by fire).
The defendant's lawyer argued that the trials should be moved to a different county to ensure a fair hearing.
We must wait for the results of the human trials before we can market this skincare product.
Despite the many trials she faced during her journey, she never lost hope of reaching the summit.
The word trials is ubiquitous in professional and academic discourse. In the world of journalism, it is a staple of the 'Courts and Crime' section. News anchors frequently report on 'pre-trial hearings' or 'jury trials.' If you listen to a legal podcast or watch a courtroom drama like *Law & Order*, you will hear 'trials' used to describe the entire process from opening statements to the final verdict. In the medical and scientific community, 'trials' is perhaps the most important word in the lexicon of drug development. Researchers discuss 'randomized controlled trials' (RCTs) as the gold standard of evidence. If you read a health blog or a scientific journal like *The Lancet*, the word 'trials' will appear in almost every article discussing new treatments. In the sports world, particularly in track and field, swimming, and gymnastics, 'trials' are the high-stakes competitions used to select national teams. NBC or the BBC will often broadcast the 'Olympic Trials,' where the drama stems from the fact that even a world champion can miss out on the Olympics if they have a bad day during the trials. Finally, in religious or philosophical contexts, you might hear 'trials' in sermons or motivational speeches. A speaker might talk about 'the trials of the soul' or how 'trials are opportunities for growth.' This usage connects the modern listener to centuries of literature where 'trials' represented the spiritual tests faced by heroes and saints.
- News Media
- Reporting on high-profile criminal cases and legal settlements.
- Medical Research
- Discussing the efficacy and safety of new drugs or medical devices.
- Sports Broadcasting
- Covering qualifying events for major international championships.
The evening news provided a summary of the day's events in the corruption trials involving several former officials.
The doctor explained that while the initial trials were successful, more research is needed.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing trials with the word 'trails.' While they look very similar, their meanings and pronunciations are entirely different. 'Trials' (/ˈtraɪəlz/) refers to tests or legal cases, whereas 'trails' (/treɪlz/) refers to paths in the woods or the marks left behind by something moving. For example, you 'hike on trails' but you 'stand trials.' Another common error is using 'trials' when 'tests' or 'exams' would be more appropriate. While 'trials' is a type of test, it usually implies something more formal, rigorous, or life-altering. You wouldn't say you have 'math trials' unless it's a very specific, high-stakes qualifying event; usually, you have 'math tests' or 'math exams.' Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the pluralization in fixed expressions. For instance, people often mistakenly say 'trial and errors' instead of the correct 'trial and error.' In this context, the phrase functions as a singular concept of a methodology. There is also a tendency to use 'trials' as a verb. While 'trial' can be a verb (meaning to test something), 'trials' is the third-person singular present form (e.g., 'He trials the new software'). However, it is much more common to use 'trials' as a noun. Finally, ensure you don't confuse 'trials' with 'tries.' 'Tries' is the plural of 'try' (an attempt), but 'trials' implies a more structured and formal process than a simple 'try.'
- Trials vs. Trails
- Trials = Tests/Legal cases. Trails = Paths/Tracks.
- Trials vs. Tries
- Trials = Formal processes. Tries = Simple attempts.
- Fixed Phrase Error
- Incorrect: 'Trials and errors'. Correct: 'Trial and error'.
Correct: We followed the hiking trails through the forest. Incorrect: We followed the hiking trials through the forest.
Depending on the context, several words can serve as synonyms or alternatives to trials. In a legal setting, 'hearings,' 'proceedings,' or 'lawsuits' might be used. A 'hearing' is often shorter and less formal than a full 'trial,' while 'proceedings' is a broad term for any legal action. In scientific contexts, 'experiments,' 'tests,' 'pilot studies,' or 'evaluations' are common. An 'experiment' is a general term, whereas a 'clinical trial' is a specific type of experiment involving human subjects. When referring to life's difficulties, synonyms include 'ordeals,' 'tribulations,' 'hardships,' 'challenges,' or 'afflictions.' An 'ordeal' usually implies a particularly painful or prolonged experience. 'Tribulations' is almost always paired with 'trials' in the phrase 'trials and tribulations.' In the context of sports or auditions, 'tryouts,' 'qualifiers,' or 'auditions' are suitable alternatives. 'Tryouts' is very common in American English for school sports, while 'trials' is used for higher-level professional or national selections. Understanding these nuances helps in choosing the word that carries the right level of formality and specific meaning for your sentence.
- Legal Alternatives
- Hearings, litigations, court cases, proceedings.
- Scientific Alternatives
- Assays, screenings, pilot programs, tests.
- Hardship Alternatives
- Ordeals, crosses to bear, adversities, miseries.
The survivors spoke of the ordeals they faced while lost at sea, using a word more intense than 'trials'.
The company launched a pilot study to see if the new workflow was efficient before starting full trials.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The word 'trial' is related to the word 'try'. Both come from the same root of 'sifting' or 'testing' something to see if it is good.
Pronunciation Guide
- Confusing with 'trails' (/treɪlz/), which has a long 'a' sound.
- Pronouncing it as one syllable (like 'triles') instead of two (TRY-als).
- Swapping the 'i' and 'a' sounds.
- Making the 's' sound like a soft 's' instead of a 'z'.
- Over-emphasizing the 'a' in the second syllable.
Difficulty Rating
Common in news and textbooks, easy to recognize.
Requires knowledge of specific collocations like 'stand trial'.
Pronunciation is key to avoid confusion with 'trails'.
Clear context usually helps distinguish the meaning.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Subject-Verb Agreement
The trials *are* starting tomorrow.
Pluralization of Nouns
One trial, two trials.
Prepositional Phrases
Trials *for* murder, trials *of* strength.
Compound Nouns
Clinical trials, sea trials.
Gerunds as Subjects
Conducting trials is a long process.
Examples by Level
The dog had trials to see if it could be a police dog.
Tests to check ability.
Plural noun used as a subject.
We had trials for the school play today.
Auditions or tests.
Used with the preposition 'for'.
The new car is doing its first trials.
Initial tests.
Possessive adjective 'its' precedes the noun.
He passed the trials for the swim team.
Qualifying tests.
Past tense verb 'passed' with the object 'trials'.
The trials were very hard for the young players.
Difficult tests.
Subject-verb agreement with 'were'.
She is happy because she won her trials.
Successful tests.
Plural noun 'trials' as the object.
Are the trials today or tomorrow?
Question about timing.
Interrogative sentence structure.
The trials are in the big park.
Location of tests.
Prepositional phrase 'in the big park'.
The Olympic trials will start next week in London.
Qualifying competitions.
Future tense with 'will start'.
They are running trials for a new kind of bread.
Product testing.
Present continuous 'are running'.
The trials showed that the machine works well.
Results of testing.
Noun as the subject of the verb 'showed'.
I have to go to the football trials on Saturday.
Team selections.
Modal verb 'have to' followed by 'go to'.
The company is doing trials with 100 people.
User testing.
Preposition 'with' showing the participants.
Did you see the results of the trials?
Question about outcomes.
Past simple question with 'Did'.
The trials were longer than we expected.
Duration of tests.
Comparative structure 'longer than'.
Many athletes fail their first trials.
Unsuccessful attempts.
Quantifier 'Many' with plural noun.
The murder trials were followed by people all over the country.
Legal proceedings.
Passive voice 'were followed by'.
Scientists are conducting clinical trials for a new flu vaccine.
Medical experiments.
Collocation 'conducting clinical trials'.
He faced many trials during his first year in a foreign country.
Life hardships.
Metaphorical use of 'trials'.
The software is currently undergoing beta trials with a small group.
Technical testing.
Verb 'undergoing' used with 'trials'.
Through trial and error, she finally fixed the broken lamp.
Method of solving problems.
Fixed idiom 'trial and error' (singular used here for contrast).
The defendant is awaiting the start of his trials.
Waiting for court.
Present continuous 'is awaiting'.
The trials of parenthood can be very exhausting.
Difficulties of a role.
Genitive 'of' showing the source of trials.
The ship's sea trials were successful, and it is ready to sail.
Vessel testing.
Compound noun 'sea trials'.
The high-profile corruption trials lasted for several months.
Major legal cases.
Adjective 'high-profile' modifying 'trials'.
Rigorous trials are necessary to ensure the safety of the new aircraft.
Strict testing.
Adjective 'Rigorous' emphasizes intensity.
The athlete's career was marked by a series of physical trials.
Bodily hardships.
Passive voice 'was marked by'.
The jury was dismissed after the trials ended in a deadlock.
Legal outcome.
Subordinate clause 'after the trials ended'.
We need to analyze the data from the field trials before proceeding.
Practical experiments.
Compound noun 'field trials'.
The trials and tribulations of starting a business are well-documented.
Common idiom for hardships.
Idiomatic pair 'trials and tribulations'.
The suspect will stand trial for three separate counts of fraud.
Facing court.
Fixed expression 'stand trial' (singular used in phrase).
Preliminary trials suggest that the new drug is highly effective.
Early results.
Adjective 'Preliminary' indicating early stage.
The Nuremberg Trials established important precedents in international law.
Historical legal event.
Proper noun usage for historical events.
The philosophical trials of the protagonist reflect the author's own struggles.
Abstract/Literary tests.
Abstract noun usage.
The efficacy of the treatment was proven in double-blind clinical trials.
Scientific methodology.
Technical term 'double-blind'.
The government faced trials of public confidence after the scandal broke.
Metaphorical testing of trust.
Genitive 'of public confidence'.
Her life was a succession of trials that she met with unwavering courage.
Continuous hardships.
Noun 'succession' followed by 'of trials'.
The trials for the national orchestra are notoriously difficult to pass.
Professional auditions.
Adverb 'notoriously' modifying 'difficult'.
He was exonerated after the trials revealed new DNA evidence.
Legal clearance.
Complex sentence with 'after' clause.
The trials of the early settlers were documented in their personal journals.
Historical hardships.
Historical context usage.
The existential trials depicted in the play resonate with modern audiences.
Deep philosophical struggles.
Adjective 'existential' for high-level abstraction.
The sheer volume of evidence presented during the trials was overwhelming.
Legal complexity.
Noun phrase 'sheer volume of evidence'.
The trials of the spirit are often more taxing than physical labor.
Spiritual/Mental testing.
Comparative 'more taxing than'.
The protocol for the multi-center trials was strictly adhered to by all sites.
Advanced scientific coordination.
Passive voice with 'adhered to'.
The historical trials of the 17th century often lacked due process.
Legal history analysis.
Formal academic tone.
The trials of the pandemic have fundamentally altered our social fabric.
Societal-scale hardship.
Metaphorical use for global events.
The defendant's right to a speedy trial is a cornerstone of the constitution.
Constitutional law (singular).
Singular 'trial' in a legal right context.
The trials of the protagonist serve as a crucible for his eventual transformation.
Literary metaphor.
Metaphorical 'crucible' pairing.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A very difficult first experience that tests your ability.
His first day as manager was a trial by fire.
— A period when you can use a product for free to test it.
I signed up for a 30-day free trial.
— A specific time set aside for testing something.
The new employee is on a three-month trial period.
— A lawyer who specializes in arguing cases in court.
She is one of the best trial lawyers in the city.
— A trial that is not valid because of an error.
The judge declared a mistrial due to jury misconduct.
Often Confused With
Trails are paths; trials are tests.
Tries are simple attempts; trials are formal processes.
Traits are characteristics; trials are tests.
Idioms & Expressions
— A series of difficult experiences and problems.
They shared the trials and tribulations of their journey.
Literary— A legal process where a group of citizens decides the case.
The right to a trial by jury is fundamental.
Legal— An ancient way of deciding guilt by making the person do something dangerous.
The history book described trial by ordeal.
Historical— Deciding a dispute through a fight between the parties.
Trial by combat was common in medieval times.
Historical— To remain popular or effective for a long period (usually 'stand the test of time').
His theories have stood the trial of time.
Formal— A small test to see how people react to a new idea.
The leaked memo was just a trial balloon.
Political— To judge someone's actions or character severely.
The media put the celebrity's private life on trial.
Metaphorical— During the difficult process of something.
In the trials of war, many heroes are born.
Formal— A competition to see who is stronger or more powerful.
The election was a trial of strength between the parties.
NeutralEasily Confused
Similar spelling.
Trails are paths or tracks left behind. Trials are tests or legal cases.
We followed the trails, but the lawyer followed the trials.
Both come from the root 'try'.
Tries is the plural of an attempt. Trials is a more formal and structured test.
He had three tries to jump the fence, but the Olympic trials were much harder.
Synonymous in some contexts.
Tests is a general word. Trials implies more formality, rigor, or a legal context.
The student took a test, but the new medicine underwent trials.
Both are legal terms.
Hearings are often shorter and less formal than full trials.
The hearing was brief, but the trials lasted for weeks.
Both mean difficult times.
Ordeals are specifically very painful or traumatic. Trials is more neutral.
The war was a series of trials, but being a prisoner was an ordeal.
Sentence Patterns
The [noun] had trials.
The dog had trials.
They are doing [adjective] trials.
They are doing school trials.
He faced many trials in [place/time].
He faced many trials in his youth.
The [noun] trials were [adjective].
The murder trials were long.
The [noun] is undergoing [adjective] trials.
The drug is undergoing clinical trials.
He will stand trial for [crime].
He will stand trial for theft.
The trials of [abstract noun] are [adjective].
The trials of leadership are numerous.
A series of trials [verb] the [noun].
A series of trials forged the hero's character.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in news, academic, and professional English.
-
The hiking trials were beautiful.
→
The hiking trails were beautiful.
You hike on 'trails' (paths), not 'trials' (tests).
-
He is standing trials for theft.
→
He is standing trial for theft.
The idiom 'stand trial' usually uses the singular form 'trial'.
-
We learned by trials and errors.
→
We learned by trial and error.
The fixed phrase is 'trial and error', both singular.
-
The clinical tests showed the drug works.
→
The clinical trials showed the drug works.
In medicine, 'trials' is the standard technical term.
-
She had math trials today.
→
She had math tests today.
'Trials' is too formal for a regular school test.
Tips
Plural Agreement
Always ensure your verb matches 'trials' when it is the subject. Say 'The trials were difficult,' not 'The trials was difficult.'
I before A
Remember the spelling is T-R-I-A-L-S. Don't swap the 'i' and 'a' or you might write 'trails'.
Legal Register
Use 'stand trial' or 'await trial' when writing about legal news to sound more professional.
Clinical Trials
In science, always use 'clinical trials' as a set phrase when referring to human testing.
Trial and Error
Use 'trial and error' to describe learning a new skill like cooking or coding.
Olympic Trials
Use 'trials' for high-level qualifying events. For your local club, 'tryouts' might be better.
Two Syllables
Don't rush the word. Make sure the 'als' at the end is clearly heard as a second syllable.
Metaphorical Use
Use 'trials' to add weight to a story about someone overcoming a difficult period in their life.
Context Matters
Always check if you mean a 'path' (trail) or a 'test' (trial) before you write the word.
Common Verbs
Learn the verbs 'conduct,' 'undergo,' and 'face' as they are the most common partners for 'trials'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'TRI-als' as 'TRY-all'. You 'try all' the evidence in court, or 'try all' the ways to fix a problem in 'trial and error'.
Visual Association
Imagine a judge's gavel hitting a table in a courtroom, or a scientist looking at a test tube in a lab.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to write a sentence that uses 'trials' in two different ways (e.g., legal and personal).
Word Origin
Derived from the Anglo-French 'trial', which comes from the Old French verb 'trier' meaning 'to pick out, sift, or sort'.
Original meaning: The original meaning in the 14th century was the act of sifting or sorting things to find the best quality.
Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French > English.Cultural Context
Be careful when discussing 'trials' in a personal context, as it often refers to deep suffering or trauma.
Trials are a major part of the 'adversarial' legal system used in the UK and US, where two sides argue their case.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Legal System
- Fair trial
- Jury trial
- Stand trial
- Evidence in trials
Medical Research
- Clinical trials
- Human trials
- Phase III trials
- Randomized trials
Personal Life
- Trials and tribulations
- Facing trials
- Overcoming trials
- Life's trials
Sports
- Olympic trials
- Qualifying trials
- Selection trials
- Time trials
Technology
- Beta trials
- Field trials
- User trials
- Software trials
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever followed a famous legal trial in the news?"
"Do you think clinical trials should be mandatory for all new products?"
"What are some of the biggest trials you have faced in your life?"
"How do you feel about the 'trial and error' method of learning?"
"Would you ever want to be a juror in a criminal trial?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time when you had to overcome a series of personal trials.
Write about the importance of fair trials in a democratic society.
Discuss the ethical challenges of conducting medical trials on humans.
Reflect on how 'trial and error' has helped you learn a new skill.
Imagine you are an athlete at the Olympic trials. Describe your feelings.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsA trial is a formal examination of evidence to decide a case, often with a jury. A hearing is usually shorter, less formal, and often focuses on specific legal issues before a judge alone.
No, 'trial' is the singular form. However, we often use the plural 'trials' when referring to a series of tests (clinical trials) or qualifying events (Olympic trials).
It is a problem-solving method where you try different ways until you find the one that works. It implies learning from mistakes.
Yes, 'to trial' means to test something. 'He trials the new car' is correct, but 'He is trialling the car' is more common in some regions.
They are scientific experiments conducted with human participants to see if a new medical treatment or drug is safe and effective.
A show trial is a public trial where the judicial authorities have already decided the guilt of the defendant, used mainly for political propaganda.
It means to be judged in a court of law for a crime you are accused of committing.
In sports, they are similar. 'Tryouts' is more common for amateur or school teams, while 'trials' is used for professional or national teams.
It has two syllables: TRY-als. It rhymes with 'dials' and 'miles'.
It is an idiomatic expression meaning a variety of difficult experiences and problems that someone has to deal with.
Test Yourself 100 questions
Write a sentence using 'trials' in a legal context.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'clinical trials'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe the meaning of 'trial and error' in your own words.
Read this aloud:
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Listen to the sentence: 'The trials were held in the supreme court.' Where were the trials held?
/ 100 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'trials' primarily refers to formal tests, whether they are legal (court cases), scientific (clinical experiments), or personal (life hardships). Example: 'The athlete overcame many physical trials to win the Olympic trials.'
- Trials are formal examinations of evidence in a court of law to decide legal cases or determine the guilt of a defendant.
- The word also describes systematic tests, such as clinical trials for medicine or product testing, to evaluate quality and performance.
- In a personal context, trials refer to difficult experiences or hardships that test an individual's endurance, patience, and strength of character.
- In sports, trials are qualifying competitions where athletes compete to earn a spot on a team or in a major tournament.
Plural Agreement
Always ensure your verb matches 'trials' when it is the subject. Say 'The trials were difficult,' not 'The trials was difficult.'
I before A
Remember the spelling is T-R-I-A-L-S. Don't swap the 'i' and 'a' or you might write 'trails'.
Legal Register
Use 'stand trial' or 'await trial' when writing about legal news to sound more professional.
Clinical Trials
In science, always use 'clinical trials' as a set phrase when referring to human testing.
Example
The murder trial lasted for three weeks before a verdict was reached.
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