I can confirm

USAGE SUMMARY

"I can confirm" is a grammatically correct sentence and is commonly used in written English.
It typically means that the speaker is able to verify or validate something. Example: I can confirm that I received your email.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I can confirm that F.B.I.

The New York Times

Such, I can confirm, it is.

The Economist

However, I can confirm we killed terrorists".

The New York Times

I can confirm that it's not easy!

Independent

"I can confirm I'm joining [Tottenham]," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Being out here now, I can confirm that.

The New York Times

I can confirm all this to be true.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In my modest way I can confirm Arlott's view.

The Guardian - Sport

I can confirm it will be wrong, as usual".

The Guardian - Sport

He said: "I can confirm we didn't talk about journalists".

The Guardian

"ON BACKGROUND, I can confirm there was a handshake".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I can confirm" when you have reliable information and want to convey certainty about a fact or statement. It's particularly effective in professional and formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I can confirm" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Vary your language by using synonyms like "I verify", "I attest", or simply stating the fact directly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I can confirm" is to act as a declarative statement. According to Ludwig, it affirms the speaker's ability to verify or validate something. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in conveying certainty about facts or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I can confirm" is a versatile phrase used to express the ability to verify information with certainty. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct and it's very common across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and science. While it's a useful phrase, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "I can verify" or "I can attest to" for variety. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase serves to provide assurance and validation, and its usage is generally neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I can verify

Replaces "confirm" with "verify", implying a check for accuracy.

I can attest to

Uses "attest to" instead of "confirm", suggesting personal experience or knowledge.

I can vouch for

Employs "vouch for", indicating strong support or assurance.

I am able to confirm

Adds "am able to", making the confirmation slightly more formal.

It is my understanding that

Introduces the information as being based on understanding, rather than direct confirmation.

I am in a position to confirm

Indicates that the speaker has the authority or knowledge to confirm something.

I am authorized to confirm

Uses "authorized to" and has an extra layer of formality added and it's common in legal settings.

I am able to ascertain

Replaces "confirm" with "ascertain", implying a discovery of the information.

It is true

Provides a direct and simple confirmation, lacking the formality of "I can confirm".

That's correct

Offers a concise agreement, suitable for informal settings.

FAQs

How to use "I can confirm" in a sentence?

Use "I can confirm" to express that you are able to verify the truth or accuracy of something. For example, "I can confirm that the meeting will take place tomorrow."

What can I say instead of "I can confirm"?

You can use alternatives like "I can verify", "I can attest to", or "I can vouch for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I can confirm" or "I am confirming"?

"I can confirm" is used to state your ability to verify something, while "I am confirming" indicates an action in progress. Both are correct but have different meanings.

What's the difference between "I can confirm" and "I believe"?

"I can confirm" expresses certainty based on evidence or knowledge, whereas "I believe" expresses an opinion or assumption without necessarily having concrete proof.