ENGLISH
REFERENCE

witnessing

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈwɪtnəsɪŋ// UK //wˈɪtnəsɪŋ// wit·ness·ing

v. seeing something happen, especially a crime or an important event. You are there to see it with your own eyes.

v. observing an event or occurrence firsthand; being present at a scene to provide testimony or confirmation of what transpired.


SIMPLE

She is witnessing the signing of the new contract.

CONTEXTUAL

Several neighbors reported witnessing the accident from their balconies, providing the police with multiple perspectives on the crash.

COMPLEX

By witnessing the transition from traditional manufacturing to automated systems, the older workers gained a unique perspective on the industrial evolution of their town.

Synonyms
Usage

The present participle of 'witness'. When used as a verb, it is transitive and requires a direct object.

Pitfall

witnessing at the eventwitnessing the eventWitnessing is transitive and should not be followed by a preposition like 'at' or 'to' before the object.

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