confer

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "confer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about exchanging opinions or discussing a topic. For example: "The two groups conferred on the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the constant pursuit of the economic and military advantage and superiority which scientific invention and technology confer is an essential component of a world-view that changes the realities on the ground.

The Guardian

iPads are so common now, despite their price, that they no longer confer importance or prestige; they're about as glamorous as bluetooth headsets.

The Guardian - Opinion

An interesting moment because Yellen paused to confer with aides.

The Guardian - Business

Police chiefs have defended the right of officers to confer in some circumstances in the aftermath of fatal shootings, such as that of Mark Duggan.

The Guardian

"Breakfast is at eight," they say, then confer.

The Guardian - Travel

This may sound utopian, but it is only such thinking that can confer on the protests a truly emancipatory dimension.

The Guardian

Then there is schooling, where Michael Gove's wholesale revolution in governance was rushed through without considering the questions of those awkward sorts that the Bush White House used to dismiss as "reality-based communities" – questions about whether the stampede to open free schools and confer academy status would make things better or worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their candidate for governor, Phil Bryant, trounced Democrat Johnny DuPree (although voters spurned a proposal backed by both men, to confer "personhood" on the unborn).

The Economist

Ultimately, the paperless communications network envisioned by Dr Mahathir is supposed to enable citizens to pay tax, ministers to decree, and civil servants to confer without the felling of a single tree.Dr Mahathir doubtless views Putrajaya as a bold innovation in the field of urban design, a far cry from the chaos of Akmola.

The Economist

At the same time ever shorter product cycles confer an advantage on factories located close to the people who consume their goods.

The Economist

Do different languages confer different personalities?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confer" to denote the act of bestowing something, like an award or honor. For example, "The university can confer degrees."

Common error

Avoid using "confer" to describe casual conversations. It implies a formal discussion or granting of something, not a simple chat.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "confer" is as a verb. It denotes either the act of granting or bestowing something (like a title or benefit) or the act of discussing or consulting with someone, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "confer" is a versatile verb with two primary meanings: to grant or bestow something and to discuss or consult. As Ludwig AI explains, the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English, lending itself to formal and professional contexts like news reporting, business communications, and scientific publications. Its usage implies a formal exchange of ideas or the formal granting of something such as a degree or title. Related phrases include "grant", ""bestow upon"", and ""consult with"". To use it effectively, remember that "confer" suits formal discussions and acts of granting, not casual conversations. With a very high frequency and presence in authoritative sources, mastering "confer" enhances the precision and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant

Emphasizes the action of formally giving or allowing.

bestow

Highlights the act of giving something as a gift or honor.

bestow upon

Focuses on the act of granting or giving something formally.

accord

Highlights giving or granting someone status or treatment.

consult with

Emphasizes seeking advice or opinions from someone.

award

Specifically refers to giving something as an official prize or honor.

impart

Focuses on communicating knowledge or information.

discuss

Highlights the act of talking about something in detail.

deliberate

Focuses on careful and lengthy consideration.

give

A general term for providing something to someone.

FAQs

How to use "confer" in a sentence?

You can use "confer" to describe the act of granting something, such as a degree, or to describe a formal discussion. For example, "The university will "bestow upon" her an honorary degree" or "The committee will "consult with" experts before making a decision".

What can I say instead of "confer"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "grant", "discuss", or "award".

What's the difference between "confer" and "confide"?

"Confer" means to grant or discuss, while "confide" means to tell someone about a secret or private matter. They have different meanings and are not interchangeable.

Is it correct to say "confer a meeting"?

While you can say "confer about a topic" or "deliberate on a matter", it's not common to say "confer a meeting". A more appropriate phrase would be "hold a meeting" or "conduct a meeting".