What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
testified
Example
The witness testified that she saw the defendant at the scene of the crime. [testified: past tense]
Example
He will be testifying in court tomorrow as a witness for the prosecution. [testifying: present participle]
certify
Example
The accountant certified that the financial statements were accurate. [certified: past tense]
Example
She needs to get certified in CPR before she can work as a lifeguard. [certified: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Certify is more commonly used than testify in everyday language. Certify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while testify is less common and is primarily used in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between testified and certify?
Both testify and certify are formal words that are typically used in professional or legal settings. However, certify is often associated with positive connotations and may be used in more formal contexts, while testify can have negative connotations and may be used in less formal contexts.
