confer grace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confer grace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is bestowing elegance, favor, or charm upon someone or something. Example: "The artist's brush strokes seemed to confer grace upon the canvas, transforming it into a masterpiece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Besides the state, humanity therefore needs the Church, a human agency God has established to confer grace through the sacraments.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And it had to put over the point that the kind of personality that conferred grace was exactly the kind that Wallace did not have.

The New Yorker

He argued that for Mr. Updike, because he accepts Barth's belief that God confers grace through the gift of creation, description alone of that creation is sufficient to affirm his faith.

The New York Times - Books

It does everything that Mr. Staller's work does at its best — conferring grace and gravity on industrial scenes that most people would ignore, showing the beauty of highly unlikely places.

The New York Times

Rarely does it receive the thoughtful regard that golf does, the appreciation of athletic grace conferred on basketball and tennis, even the respect for mano-a-mano confrontation applied to boxing.

The New York Times - Books

And you'll sense, time and again, the grace conferred in your wedding Mass sustaining you as husband and wife.

Huffington Post

Because the Augustinians hold that, in our present condition at least, God owes us nothing, they also believe that the grace he confers upon a limited elect is utterly gratuitous and supererogatory.

SEP

Nor did anyone allude to the curious distance that Ombretta had kept between herself and the rest of the world, a seclusion that was never selfish or hostile but seemed to confer an odd sort of grace on her surroundings.

The New Yorker

Which actually wound up conferring a sort of sense of grace on everything, at least for me".

Huffington Post

Reading was a sacrament that conferred upon those who partook of its grace something which nothing else, in some cases not even religion itself, could bestow.

Huffington Post

In box-office terms, he might get by with playing opposite Doris Day in "That Touch of Mink," but he was interchangeable with Rock Hudson in this sort of picture, and the role was a little demeaning — it didn't take cognizance of his grace or of the authority that enduring stardom confers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confer grace" when emphasizing a deliberate act of bestowing favor, elegance, or a divine quality. It often fits well in formal or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "confer grace" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual settings; simpler expressions might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confer grace" functions as a verb phrase where "confer" (verb) takes "grace" (noun) as its object. It signifies the act of bestowing or granting a quality, favor, or divine attribute, as suggested by Ludwig AI. The phrase is often used in contexts where there is a deliberate act of granting something valuable or significant.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "confer grace" is grammatically correct and typically used in formal or literary contexts to describe bestowing favor, elegance, or a divine quality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in contexts emphasizing the deliberate act of granting something valuable. While alternatives such as "bestow grace" or "grant grace" exist, "confer grace" maintains a unique formality. Despite its relative infrequency, understanding its proper usage can add sophistication to writing, avoiding overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bestow grace

Replaces "confer" with "bestow", maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

Grant grace

Substitutes "confer" with "grant", emphasizing the act of giving or awarding grace.

Impart grace

Replaces "confer" with "impart", suggesting the transmission of grace from one entity to another.

Bestow divine favor

Expands "grace" to "divine favor", specifying the source of the grace.

Endow with grace

Uses "endow" to indicate a more permanent or inherent granting of grace.

Infuse with grace

Emphasizes the filling or permeating effect of grace.

Lavish grace upon

Implies a generous and abundant offering of grace.

Show grace

A more general expression of acting with grace or extending it to others.

Extend grace

Suggests the act of offering forgiveness or compassion.

Exude grace

Describes the quality of radiating or emanating grace from within.

FAQs

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

You can use "confer grace" to describe bestowing elegance, favor, or a divine quality. For instance, "The artist's brush strokes seemed to "confer grace" upon the canvas, transforming it into a masterpiece".

What are some alternatives to "confer grace"?

Alternatives include "bestow grace", "grant grace", or "impart grace", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "confer grace" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "confer grace" is well-suited for formal writing, especially in religious, literary, or ceremonial contexts, where the act of bestowing favor or elegance is emphasized.

What's the difference between "confer grace" and "show grace"?

"Confer grace" implies a deliberate act of bestowing or granting something, while "show grace" suggests demonstrating kindness, compassion, or forgiveness in a particular situation.