confer a benefit

USAGE SUMMARY

"confer a benefit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to granting something of value, usually to a person or group. For example: "The company conferred a benefit to its employees in recognition of their hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's a small amount and thus less graphic and venal, but it was still done with an intent to confer a benefit on the son".

The New York Times

The judge in the case concluded in May that the government had needed to prove that the men had "intended to confer a benefit" on China, "not receive a benefit from it".

The New York Times

Another mechanism by which elaboration can confer a benefit to learning is via improvement in organization (Bellezza, Cheesman, & Reddy, 1977; Mandler, 1979).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

These mutations are positively selected; that is, they confer a benefit that makes survival and reproduction more likely and have spread throughout a population via natural selection.

Science Magazine

The effect of this postponement is to confer a benefit on a small group of Councilmembers, some of whom voted in 2008 to extend their eligibility.

Huffington Post

The phrase "purport to confer a benefit" was originally found in the 1937 Law Commission paper, and was used in the New Zealand Contracts (Privity) Act 1982 before it was adopted for the English Act.

Wikipedia

The act has been criticised somewhat by the construction industry for its refusal to make an exception for complex construction contracts, and for the vagueness of the term "purports to confer a benefit".

Wikipedia

It is generally accepted, however, that it would be unfair to make an exception for a particular industry, and case law has clarified the meaning of "purports to confer a benefit".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In adopting this analysis, the court rejected Nevada's argument that the law should be seen as a federal labor regulation that simply conferred a benefit of employment.

The New York Times

Professor Folbre says the payment of Social Security payroll taxes confers a benefit on the taxpayer in the form of additional Social Security benefits later in life.

The New York Times

Without an explicit agreement that conferred a benefit on La Barbie in exchange for coöperation, he's unlikely to see a significant sentence reduction for help he provided six years ago.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing advantages in formal writing, consider using "confer a benefit" to clearly and professionally articulate the positive impact of a particular action or decision.

Common error

Ensure that the sentence clearly identifies who or what receives the benefit. Ambiguity can arise if the recipient is not explicitly stated or is unclear from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confer a benefit" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of bestowing or granting an advantage or positive outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to refer to granting something of value. This can be seen in the example: "These mutations are positively selected; that is, they confer a benefit that makes survival and reproduction more likely."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confer a benefit" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of granting an advantage or positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It is commonly used in scientific, news, and wiki contexts, with a formal to scientific register. The phrase's primary function is to explicitly state that something provides an advantage, often justifying actions or explaining positive impacts. To ensure clarity, it is important to clearly identify the recipient of the benefit. While alternatives like "provide an advantage" exist, "confer a benefit" often implies a more deliberate or official act. Given its usage and grammatical correctness, it’s a valuable phrase for formal writing and discussions where precision is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bestow an advantage

Replaces "confer" with "bestow" and "benefit" with "advantage", focusing on granting a favorable position.

grant a privilege

Uses "grant" instead of "confer" and "privilege" to highlight the awarding of a special right or benefit.

afford an advantage

Substitutes "confer" with "afford", suggesting the provision of an opportunity or advantage.

provide an advantage

Replaces "confer" with "provide", emphasizing the act of supplying an advantage.

give a perk

Uses "give" instead of "confer" and "perk" as a more casual synonym for benefit, implying a less formal advantage.

extend a courtesy

Replaces "confer a benefit" with "extend a courtesy", which focuses on a polite or respectful act of goodwill.

impart a favor

Uses "impart" instead of "confer" and "favor" to highlight a helpful or supportive action.

endow with an asset

Substitutes "confer" with "endow" and reframes the benefit as an "asset", emphasizing a valuable resource.

bestow a boon

Replaces "confer" with "bestow" and "benefit" with "boon", highlighting a particularly helpful or welcome advantage.

bestow a gift

Uses "bestow a gift", referring to bestowing something valuable and favorable.

FAQs

How can I use "confer a benefit" in a sentence?

You can use "confer a benefit" to describe actions that provide an advantage or positive outcome. For example, "The new policy will "confer a benefit" on all employees."

What are some alternatives to "confer a benefit"?

Alternatives include "bestow an advantage", "grant a privilege", or "provide an advantage". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "confer a benefit" formal or informal?

"Confer a benefit" is generally considered a formal expression suitable for professional, academic, or official contexts. In more casual settings, you might opt for simpler alternatives.

What's the difference between "confer a benefit" and "provide a benefit"?

While both phrases are similar, "confer a benefit" often implies a more deliberate or official act of granting something advantageous. "Provide a benefit" is a more general term for giving an advantage.