The phrase "as if to confide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a manner of speaking or acting that suggests someone is about to share a secret or personal information.
Example: "She leaned closer, as if to confide in me about her deepest fears."
Alternatives: "as if to share" or "as if to reveal".
As if he wanted to confide something.
His repeated admonitions — "Listen to this," "Listen to this, everybody," "Listen to me, now," "Are you listening in Michigan and Ohio?," "Now, finally, listen," "Y'all you all got to listen carefully to this, this is really important" — came across not as hectoring but as breathless invitations, as if he was about to confide a particularly choice morsel of gossip.
His repeated admonitions—"Listen to this," "Listen to this, everybody," "Listen to me, now," "Are you listening in Michigan and Ohio?," "Now, finally, listen," "Y'all you all got to listen carefully to this, this is really important"—came across not as hectoring but as breathless invitations, as if he was about to confide a particularly choice morsel of gossip.
Thus, while it is easier to classify real-life friends as "best friends to confide in", "good friends to share a beer with", and "acquaintances that you nod 'ssup' to", such classification is difficult, if not impossible, online.
He leaned forward across his big desk as if he had something special to confide.
When he mentioned Mr. Madoff, he leaned in to confide — as if we were best friends — that the Butner grapevine had it Mr. Madoff was "a terrible guy.
I truly think my neighbors would flip out if I stopped them to confide that I worry if God heard my prayers, or if I inquired if they'd felt God's presence as much as I had in synagogue.
If employees are loathe to confide in HR, that's going to lead to even faster disengagement and attrition.
And if someone has chosen to confide in you, please listen.
