In English trial has a various meanings and can used in many different ways.
For example we can use trial as a noun referring to various different places or things, such as:
A trial that takes place in court, this is to examine facts and evidence usually to prove somebody’s guilt or innocence, or to address issues of law.
- I am a witness in the trial.
- The trial lasted two weeks, evidence was given and witnesses testified.
Trial can be used to refer to a test or an experiment.
- For the drug to be approved it must pass the trial.
- The trial is difficult, not everyone passes the first time.
Trial can refer to an attempt of doing something.
- Trial and error is the only way we can progress.
- The actors did a trial of the new play, it was fantastic!
Trial can refer to a period of time when a person is being tested or analysed.
- I had a trial today, I had the opportunity to talk to a teacher and see if I liked their teaching method.
- To test the cars safety the mechanics did a trial.
Trial can also be used as an adjective:
- This is a trial day, we will see if you suit the company after today.
- The trial lesson will be thirty minutes long.
- They used a trial rocket to test the experiment.
- The field trial was set in Belfast and lasted the entire day.
We also have a couple of idioms that use the word trial:
‘trial and error’ this idiom refers to the process of attempting different methods until the desired result is achieved.
- Through trial and error I passed my driving test.
- We found the solution through trial and error.
‘on trial’ refers to a person being tried in court of law.
- He was on trial for the murder of his sister.
- The shopkeeper was on trial for evading taxes.
‘trial by fire’ this refers to how a person’s capability or skill is tested under great pressure.
- The contestants have to prove their strength on the gameshow, it is a trial by fire.
- The endurance test was a trial by fire.
