attest

/əˈtest/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈtest/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈtest/ (ame, mw)

attest — 動詞

  • attestpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • attestshe / she / it
  • attestedpast simple
  • attesting-ing form

1. to give visible proof that a claim or situation matches reality, typically throu

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

證實；證明

提供證據顯示某事物為真

to give visible proof that a claim or situation matches reality, typically through facts, results, or behaviour

例句

The empty seats in the hall attested to the fact that few people had come to the event.

大廳裡的空座位證實了來參加活動的人很少。

attested to the fact

Dr. Okonkwo attested that the test results showed no signs of infection.

Okonkwo 醫師證明檢驗結果沒有任何感染的跡象。

attested that

同義詞
  • confirm

    more general; implies verifying what was already suspected

  • prove

    stronger; means to show something is definitely true beyond doubt

  • demonstrate

    emphasises showing clearly through action or evidence

反義詞

文法句型

attest + that-clause

attest + to + noun phrase

be attested by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used with the preposition 'to' before the evidence or fact being shown. In this construction the subject is the evidence itself (e.g. 'The results attest to...'). When a person is the subject, a that-clause is common (e.g. 'He attested that...').

常見錯誤

❌The empty hall attests the low attendance.
✅The empty hall attests to the low attendance.
💡When the subject is a thing providing evidence, the preposition 'to' is required.

2. to officially declare that a document, signature, or written statement is genuin

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

認證；公證

正式確認文件或簽名為真

to officially declare that a document, signature, or written statement is genuine and legally valid, usually by signing or stamping it

例句

A notary public must attest the signature on the contract before it is valid.

公證人必須在合約上認證簽名，合約才能生效。

attest the signature

Amina took her degree certificate to the ministry to have it attested for use abroad.

Amina 把學位證書拿到部會去認證，以便在國外使用。

have it attested

同義詞
  • certify

    very similar; more common in everyday official contexts

  • authenticate

    formal; emphasises proving something is not fake

  • notarize

    specific; means a notary public performed the attestation

反義詞
  • invalidate

    to make something legally void

  • forge

    to create a fake version of a document or signature

文法句型

attest + noun (document / signature / will)

attest to + noun phrase

have + noun + attested

attested copy / document (as adjective)

用法筆記

The direct object of 'attest' in this sense is typically a document, signature, or official record. Unlike Sense 1, the preposition 'to' is optional when the object is the document itself. An 'attested copy' is a duplicate that has been officially certified as a true copy of the original.

常見錯誤

❌I attested my friend's story about the accident.' (meaning I confirmed it)
✅I attested to my friend's account of the accident.
💡For declaring a document genuine, use 'attest' + document directly. For confirming a story, use Sense 1 with 'to'.

3. to make a formal, sworn statement as a witness during a legal proceeding, tellin

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

作證

在法庭上宣誓陳述所知事實

to make a formal, sworn statement as a witness during a legal proceeding, telling the court what one knows or has seen

例句

The neighbour attested in court that she had heard loud noises coming from the house.

鄰居在法庭上作證說她聽到那棟房子傳來很大的聲響。

attested in court

Three former employees attested to the unfair working conditions at the factory.

三名前員工出面作證該工廠的工作條件很不公平。

attested to

同義詞
  • testify

    the more common word in legal contexts; 'attest' is slightly more formal

  • bear witness

    idiomatic; strongly associated with religious or solemn legal settings

  • give evidence

    neutral; widely used in modern legal language

反義詞

文法句型

attest + that-clause (legal context)

attest + to + noun phrase

attest + in court

attest + under oath

用法筆記

Distinguish from Sense 1: Sense 3 is confined to legal or formal investigative settings where the speaker makes a sworn promise to tell the truth. The preposition 'to' introduces what the witness speaks about ('attest to the truth of...'), while 'that' introduces their actual statement.

常見錯誤

❌I attested to my friend at the party that the cake was good.
✅In court, I attested that I saw the accident happen.
💡'Attest' in this sense is restricted to formal, legal, or sworn contexts, not casual conversation.