I conferred with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I conferred with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that you consulted or discussed something with someone, typically in a formal or professional context. Example: "After I conferred with my colleagues, we decided to move forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I conferred with my crew and they strongly felt that the quarterback had advanced the ball past the first-down marker," McElwee, who would not talk to a pool reporter after Sunday's game, said in a statement released a day later.

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly we are seeing accelerating moves and investments to that end — and I conferred with games expert and Manatt Digital Media colleague Patrick Sweeney to get his thoughts.

TechCrunch

I conferred with my Danish cousin, Hanne Vedsted-Hansen, airair traffic controller at Copenhagen International Airport, and one of the smartest women I know.

Huffington Post

While my office manager Walter Neuer, with the strong support of a few Dresden officials, prepared everything for my appearance, I conferred with the prime minister in private in the Hotel Bellevue.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I confer with Kymlicka and Modood's view that interculturalists give a distorted picture of multiculturalism (particularly its liberal variant), and Kymlicka is also to the point about the mainly "rhetorical functions" and attending risks of the new speak.

Comparative Migration Studies

"I have conferred with the chairmen of the national security committees who have received initial outreach from senior Administration officials, and while the outreach has been appreciated, it is apparent from the questions above that the outreach has, to date, not reached the level of substantive consultation," Boehner wrote.

Huffington Post

Throughout this execution, I conferred and collaborated with our IV team members and was assured unequivocally that the inmate was comatose and never in pain or distress".

The Guardian

Because especially when I'm conferring with the army — I mean, the large number of doctors — I've been seeing recently, it seems more calming, less victimizing, to think of the disease as a problem, not an enemy.

The New York Times

We next sought to determine whether MV-NIS virotherapy in combination with I conferred any survival advantage over MV-NIS alone in mice bearing intracranial medulloblastoma tumors.

BMC Cancer

It would be better if I addressed these issues once I returned home to America, and after I could confer with leaders of other faiths who have been deliberating with us over this project.

The New Yorker

I wonder if he conferred with former House majority leader Dick Gephardt, who gave the other keynote speech and said that Americans are either "the most wonderful people in the world" or "the most wonderful people alive"—I was blushing too hard to write it down.Today, incidentally, is "Don't Buy Gas Day".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I conferred with" when you want to emphasize a formal or professional consultation. It implies a deliberate and thoughtful discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "I conferred with" in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I talked to" or "I discussed with" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I conferred with" is to indicate that the speaker engaged in a formal consultation or discussion with someone. This phrase typically introduces a statement about a decision or action taken after the consultation, as illustrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I conferred with" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, indicating a formal consultation or discussion. As Ludwig AI suggests, its formal tone is best suited for professional or academic contexts, and it effectively conveys collaboration and careful consideration. While alternatives like "I consulted with" or "I discussed with" exist, "I conferred with" maintains a distinct emphasis on deliberate and thoughtful interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I consulted with

Uses a more formal synonym for 'conferred'.

I discussed with

Employs a more general term for interaction.

I spoke with

Indicates a conversation took place, less formal.

I had a conversation with

Rephrases the interaction as a conversation.

I consulted

Implies interaction, but omits explicit mention of the other party.

I sought advice from

Focuses on seeking guidance.

I took counsel with

Uses a more archaic term for seeking advice.

I brainstormed with

Suggests a collaborative idea-generation session.

I touched base with

Implies a brief communication.

I picked the brains of

Suggests seeking expert advice or insights.

FAQs

What does "I conferred with" mean?

It means you consulted or discussed something with someone, typically in a formal or professional setting. It implies a deliberate and thoughtful discussion.

What can I say instead of "I conferred with"?

You can use alternatives like "I consulted with", "I discussed with", or "I spoke with" depending on the context.

Is "I conferred with" formal or informal?

"I conferred with" is generally considered a formal expression. It's best suited for professional, academic, or official communications.

How to use "I conferred with" in a sentence?

Example: "After "I consulted with" the team, we decided to proceed with the new strategy."