What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
witness
Example
I was a witness to the car accident and can describe what happened. [witness: noun]
Example
She witnessed the crime and will have to testify in court. [witnessed: past tense verb]
bystander
Example
The bystanders watched as the fire department put out the fire. [bystanders: plural noun]
Example
He was just a bystander and didn't see anything that could help the investigation. [bystander: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bystander is more commonly used in everyday language than witness. Witness is often used in legal or investigative contexts, while bystander is used more broadly to describe someone who is present but not involved.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between witness and bystander?
Witness is generally considered more formal than bystander. It is often used in legal or official contexts, while bystander is more informal and can be used in a variety of situations.
