Bestow on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Bestow on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when giving or granting something, often in a formal or ceremonial context. Example: "The university decided to bestow on her an honorary degree for her contributions to science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This award is considered "the highest honor the undergraduate student body can bestow on a Georgia Tech faculty member".

Wikipedia

To bestow on one's parents their independence is also to announce one's own independence from them.

The New Yorker

But the play finds pockets of redemption in the tenderness these victims of totalitarian insanity bestow on one another.

Los Angeles Times

While a good college education is certainly one gift most parents want to bestow on their children, the financial responsibility shouldn't all fall on the parents' shoulders.

Huffington Post

Siblings, he concluded, were one of the greatest gifts a parent could bestow on a child.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I know it's not a gift that you bestow on everyone, and I feel fortunate and grateful that I'm one of the lucky few.

Huffington Post

They bestow on their residents the joys of reverse snobbism.

The New York Times - Travel

My brother's name should be a gift to bestow on my son.

The New York Times

Their vote is far too precious to bestow on any of the parties on offer.

The Guardian - Opinion

And they get the highest civilian honor a president can bestow on anyone!

The Economist

WHAT is the stereotype football players say other people bestow on them?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bestow on" when you want to emphasize a formal or ceremonial act of giving something valuable, such as an honor, gift, or quality.

Common error

Avoid using "bestow on" in casual contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "give" or "offer" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bestow on" functions as a transitive phrasal verb, indicating the act of conferring something (an honor, a gift, a quality) upon someone. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English. The examples show it used in contexts such as bestowing awards, honors, or qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bestow on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb that signifies the act of formally giving or conferring something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its primary use is observed in news, media, and scientific contexts. While it is a formal expression, remember to use simpler alternatives like "give" in informal settings. Consider using synonyms like "confer upon" or "grant to" to add variety to your writing while maintaining formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bestow upon

A more formal, and somewhat archaic, version of the original phrase. It exchanges the preposition.

Confer upon

This phrase is a formal alternative that emphasizes the act of granting something as a privilege or honor. It changes the structure and word choice.

Grant to

This alternative is less formal than "confer upon" but carries the same basic meaning of formally giving something.

Award to

Specifically indicates giving something as a reward or recognition.

Give to

A simpler and more general way of expressing the act of providing something. Changes both formality and wording.

Present to

This suggests a formal introduction or offering of something.

Impart to

Implies the giving of knowledge, wisdom, or a spiritual quality.

Give over to

Suggests surrendering or entrusting something to someone, instead of providing a benefit or honor.

Entrust to

Focuses on the act of assigning responsibility or care to someone.

Afford to

Suggests providing an opportunity or resource. Changes the nuance.

FAQs

How can I use "Bestow on" in a sentence?

You can use "bestow on" to describe formally giving something to someone, such as "The university decided to "confer upon" her an honorary degree" or "The award was "grant to" the most innovative student".

What's a good alternative to "Bestow on"?

Alternatives to "bestow on" include more common and/or less formal options such as "give", "grant", or "award", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Which is more formal, "Bestow on" or "Give to"?

"Bestow on" is significantly more formal than "give to". Use "bestow on" in situations where you want to emphasize the importance, formality, or honor associated with the act of giving, while "give to" is suitable for everyday, informal contexts.

What is the difference between "Bestow on" and "Bestow upon"?

"Bestow upon" is simply a more formal and somewhat archaic variation of "bestow on". While both are correct, "bestow upon" might sound overly formal in modern usage.