How to use "witness"

[wang.cupid]

Dear friends,

Which one concerning witness is correct? As far as I know, witness can be used after somebody or a country, can it used after other things, such as, figures, data?

The figures for its GDP per capita witnessed a increase in the country of X.

the country of X witnessed a increase of the figures for its GDP per capita.

[Atchan]

*** Not A Teacher ***

It can be used nearly in every thing because its a verb and noun.

Witness meant as a noun "a person who sees an event happening, especially a crime or an accident"

And means as a verb "be present, happen, show" in other words "to show or give proof of something"

I hope others will give you a clear answer.

[kfredson]

Dear friends,

Which one concerning witness is correct? As far as I know, witness can be used after somebody or a country, can it used after other things, such as, figures, data?

The figures for its GDP per capita witnessed an increase in the country of X.
I would say that the verb witnessed takes a subject that is a little more sentient, or at least stronger, than "figures." It might be country -- or even climate or game -- but figures? I'm not quite sure just why I have trouble with it. The sentence is certainly quite awkward, though. The revision below is much better.

The country of X witnessed an increase of the figures for in its GDP per capita.
I would accept this, with revisions.

Perhaps others will have some input on this.