Collocations for witness - noun
1. person who sees sth
ADJ.
eye (also ‘eyewitness’)
An eyewitness account described the plane as a ‘fireball’.
An eyewitness account described the plane as a ‘fireball’.
crucial, key, material, vital
As the last person to see her alive, he was a material witness in the case.
As the last person to see her alive, he was a material witness in the case.
independent | credible, reliable, unimpeachable | unreliable
VERB + WITNESS
appeal for
The police are appealing for witnesses.
The police are appealing for witnesses.
trace
Police have so far failed to trace any witnesses to the attack.
Police have so far failed to trace any witnesses to the attack.
WITNESS + VERB
come forward
Two witnesses came forward with evidence.
Two witnesses came forward with evidence.
WITNESS + NOUN
account, statement
PREP.
~ to
a witness to murder
a witness to murder
2. in a court of law
ADJ.
chief, main, principal
the defence''s chief witness
the defence''s chief witness
hostile | reluctant, unwilling | defence | prosecution, state | expert | character | civilian, police
VERB + WITNESS
call
The defence called their first witness.
The defence called their first witness.
appear as
She appeared as a character witness.
She appeared as a character witness.
swear in | cross-examine, examine, interrogate, interview, question | hear | discredit | intimidate, threaten
A judicial enquiry was ordered, but witnesses were threatened and none would testify.
A judicial enquiry was ordered, but witnesses were threatened and none would testify.
suborn
He was charged with conspiracy to suborn witnesses.
He was charged with conspiracy to suborn witnesses.
WITNESS + VERB
take the stand
The next witness took the stand.
The next witness took the stand.
give evidence, testify | make a statement, state sth | identify sb
She was the only witness to identify Peters as the attacker.
She was the only witness to identify Peters as the attacker.
WITNESS + NOUN
box, stand | summons
PHRASES
a witness for the defence/prosecution
3. of a signature
VERB + WITNESS
act as
WITNESS + VERB
sign
PREP.
~ to
Would you be willing to act as a witness to my signature when I sign my will?
Would you be willing to act as a witness to my signature when I sign my will?