bestow upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"bestow upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to giving something to someone in an honorable and generous way. For example: "The king bestowed upon his loyal knight a golden crown in recognition of his service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are enhancements to bestow upon your character.

The New York Times - Tech

What acts of kindness — monetary or otherwise — might you bestow upon others?

The New York Times

The intent, in other words, is to bestow upon the game a carefree and democratic ethos.

The New Yorker

The honors the world wished to bestow upon him made him chary.

The New Yorker

You have to dignify the audience, bestow upon them respect for their inteligence," he added.

The New York Times

Instead, why not recommend that the Iraqis use the democracy we helped bestow upon them?

The New York Times

"You have to dignify the audience, bestow upon them respect for their intelligence," Mr. Gurney said.

The New York Times

"Being awarded additional business is the highest compliment a client can bestow upon its agency".

The New York Times

Now that Christopher Plummer has received his long-overdue Oscar, I have one more small accolade to bestow upon him.

The New York Times

"It is not actually that by giving somebody the name Nigel you bestow upon them certain views.

Independent

"It's certainly one of the highest honors this country can bestow upon a person of the performing arts," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bestow upon" when you want to emphasize the honorable or generous nature of giving something, such as a title, honor, or privilege. It adds a touch of formality and respect.

Common error

Avoid using "bestow upon" in everyday conversation or casual writing. The phrase is formal and can sound pretentious if used inappropriately; opt for simpler alternatives like "give" or "offer" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bestow upon" functions as a transitive verb phrase that requires both a direct and indirect object. It describes the act of formally or ceremoniously giving something, typically an honor, right, or gift. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bestow upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that adds formality to the act of giving something. Ludwig AI confirms this. While alternatives like "confer on" or "grant to" exist, "bestow upon" is particularly effective when emphasizing the honor or significance of what is being given. While versatile, it’s best reserved for formal writing and professional settings to maintain an appropriate tone. As seen from examples in Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in journalism and academic writing. Understanding these nuances will help you use the phrase effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bestow on

Omits the 'upon,' making it slightly less formal but retaining the sense of honor.

confer on

Focuses more on the act of granting or awarding something formally.

grant to

Implies a permission or authorization is being given.

award to

Specifically suggests bestowing a prize or recognition.

endow with

Emphasizes providing someone with a quality or attribute.

accord to

Highlights giving respect, honor or status.

give to

A more general and less formal way of saying "bestow upon".

impart to

Suggests communicating knowledge, wisdom or a skill.

present to

Suggests a formal offering or introduction of something.

lavish on

Implies giving something in abundance or excessively.

FAQs

How to use "bestow upon" in a sentence?

Use "bestow upon" when you want to describe the act of formally giving something, especially an honor, right, or gift. For example: "The university decided to "bestow upon" her an honorary degree".

What can I say instead of "bestow upon"?

You can use alternatives like "confer on", "grant to", or "award to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "bestow on" instead of "bestow upon"?

Yes, "bestow on" is a correct and slightly less formal alternative to ""bestow upon"". Both phrases are acceptable and convey the same meaning of giving something in an honorable manner.

What's the difference between "bestow upon" and "give to"?

"Bestow upon" is more formal and implies a sense of honor or importance in the act of giving. "Give to" is a more general and neutral way of describing the act of giving something.