affirms

USAGE SUMMARY

'affirms' is a word that can be used in written English.
It is a verb meaning to state positively or to confirm something. Example sentence: The manager affirmed that the project was proceeding on schedule.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Except here one of the friends gets turned into a monstrous succubus and starts eating her way – on a monthly, and Cody affirms, not strictly LUNAR, schedule – through the full gamut of high school boy stereotypes: pierced goth kid, offensive linebacker, wannabe ladies man etc.

The Guardian - Film

South Africa also boasts a post-apartheid constitution that explicitly affirms equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender.

The Guardian

"I think receiving this letter affirms the work they are doing".

The Guardian

"This legislation affirms that Americans have a right to know the assumptions and legal interpretations that are guiding our national security decisions," Rokita said.

The Guardian

"We are dealing here with great music by a whole generation of Czech composers lost in one fell swoop, most of them in October 1944," she affirms.

The Guardian - Music

"Words can be deleted but the facts won't be deleted along with them," he affirms on Twitter via a VPN that allows him to jump over the Great Firewall.

The Economist

The hectic manner in which the state media seek to portray the situation as normal merely affirms the disarray.

The Economist

But taken too far, it affirms suspicions that many firms and markets are "too big to fail"—surely an invitation to future crises.

The Economist

What will the European Court of Justice make of a constitution that recognises and affirms certain fundamental rights, and then denies those rights to most of the Union's citizens?

The Economist

Mark Oliver, of Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates, thinks it "reinforces an exclusive image of tennis, which affirms it as a middle-class sport for middle-class people".

The Economist

"Hun Sen is the party," affirms one onlooker.A plausible election would ease some of Mr Hun Sen's international worries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "asserts", "confirms", or "declares" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "affirms" when the statement is based on speculation or uncertainty. Instead, use words like "suggests", "implies", or "indicates" to reflect the level of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "affirms" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It indicates that a subject is currently stating or confirming something to be true. Ludwig provides many examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affirms" is a verb used to state something positively or confirm its truth, making it a useful tool in various forms of writing. Ludwig highlights its common usage in news, science, and formal business contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, remember that using synonyms like "asserts", "declares", or "confirms" can enrich your writing. However, be cautious about using "affirms" when dealing with speculation, as it implies a stronger level of certainty than may be warranted. According to Ludwig, the analysis confirms that it follows standard grammar rules and is very commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asserts

Focuses on stating something confidently and forcefully, sometimes without proof.

declares

Implies a formal or official statement.

maintains

Suggests a continued belief or insistence on something, despite possible opposition.

confirms

Emphasizes providing evidence or proof to support something.

attests

Highlights providing testimony or evidence as a witness.

substantiates

Implies providing strong evidence to support the truth of something.

corroborates

Focuses on providing additional support to an existing statement or piece of evidence.

upholds

Suggests supporting or defending something, such as a principle or law.

verifies

Emphasizes checking the accuracy or truth of something.

avows

Implies a solemn or emphatic declaration.

FAQs

What does "affirms" mean?

"Affirms" means to state something positively or declare something to be true. It is a formal way of confirming or asserting a fact or belief.

What can I say instead of "affirms"?

You can use alternatives like "asserts", "declares", or "confirms" depending on the context.

How do you use "affirms" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The study affirms that regular exercise improves overall health."

Is "affirms" a formal word?

Yes, "affirms" is generally considered a formal word. It is often used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.