able to confer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to confer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the capacity or ability to grant or bestow something, such as a title, degree, or benefit. Example: "The committee is able to confer honorary degrees to individuals who have made significant contributions to society."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For example, India's lost bananas include a variety which is thought able to confer genetic resistance to sigatoka.

The Guardian

"Until these fundamental concerns are fully addressed, this election will not be able to confer the consent of the governed onto Icann," the report said.

The New York Times

But problems also arise when it is governments that are relatively strong, and so able to confer special status on some pressure groups and withhold it from others.

The Economist

When appropriate, he intervenes — an early example of the celebrity as a magical figure, able to confer health, wealth and happiness on everyday mortals.

The New York Times

These attenuated bacilli were still able to confer a certain amount of immunity against infection with either bovine or human tubercle bacilli.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Steel Plate Shear Walls (SPSWs) are innovative systems able to confer to either new or existing structures a significant capacity to resist earthquake and wind loads.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

A mussel-inspired catecholic chemistry was found to be able to confer nature-derived mesoporous chitin aerogels with high and tunable surface activities.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Primary human trophoblasts were previously shown to be resistant to viral infection, and able to confer this resistance to nontrophoblast cells.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Vaccination with p91m induced vigorous antigen-specific CD8+ CTL that produce IFN-γ and was able to confer partial protection against listerial challenge.

Vaccine

RB1 variants disabled for the interaction with XRCC5 and XRCC6, including a cancer-associated variant, are unable to support cNHEJ despite being able to confer cell-cycle control.

Cell Reports

What I call "purpose theorists" differ over what it is about God's purpose that makes it uniquely able to confer meaning on human lives.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to confer", ensure the subject performing the action has the legitimate authority or capability to grant or bestow the specified item or quality. Clarity in this aspect enhances the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "able to confer" when the subject lacks the actual power or authority to grant the stated benefit or status. This misattribution weakens the statement and can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to confer" functions as a verb phrase expressing the capacity or capability to grant, bestow, or impart something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to confer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the capability of granting or bestowing something. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is used across various contexts, but is particularly common in scientific and news domains. Its usage indicates a neutral to formal register. When considering alternatives, "capable of bestowing" and "empowered to bestow" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to ensure the subject has legitimate authority when using this phrase to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of bestowing

Focuses on the capability of granting something, similar to "able to confer" but uses 'bestowing' for a slightly more formal tone.

in a position to grant

Emphasizes the authority or position that allows someone to confer something.

empowered to bestow

Highlights the empowerment aspect, suggesting that someone has been given the power to confer.

authorized to award

Specifically refers to the authorization to give awards or honors.

having the capacity to impart

Focuses on the capacity to give or transmit something, often knowledge or qualities.

qualified to bestow

Highlights that someone meets the requirements to grant something.

with the power to grant

Stresses the power or authority to confer something.

in a state to give

Indicates the readiness or condition that allows for something to be conferred.

permitted to allocate

Highlights the permission to distribute or assign something.

eligible to assign

Emphasizes that one fulfills requirements to formally give/assign something.

FAQs

How can I use "able to confer" in a sentence?

Use "able to confer" when you want to express the capability of granting or bestowing something. For instance, "This certification is able to confer certain professional advantages."

What are some alternatives to "able to confer"?

You can use alternatives like "capable of bestowing", "empowered to bestow", or "authorized to award" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "able to confer" or "capable of giving"?

"Able to confer" is generally more formal than "capable of giving". "Confer" implies a formal granting of a title, right, or benefit, while "giving" is more general.

What's the difference between "able to confer" and "allowed to grant"?

"Able to confer" emphasizes capability and authority, while "allowed to grant" focuses on permission. You are "able to confer" if you have the inherent power; you are allowed to grant if you have been given permission, even if you don't inherently have the power.