confer on them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confer on them" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where someone is granting or bestowing something, such as a title, honor, or privilege, to another person or group. Example: "The committee decided to confer on them the prestigious award for their outstanding contributions to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It became fashionable to argue that the most useful thing a business school, particularly a top one, does for its students was to confer on them its stamp of approval by letting them in.

The Economist

LHs bind bacteriochlorophyll a molecules, which confer on them a high intrinsic fluorescence yield.

Biophysical Journal

These are offerings left by Zunis who have asked the statues inside to confer on them safety or good health or athletic prowess.

The New York Times

But he does speak at the conferences of an organization that promotes this idea in various forms, thus helping to confer on them legitimacy and respectability.

The Washington Post

Indeed, refraining from criticism of justices who publicly associate in partisan ways would confer on them some special monk-like status.

The New York Times

Cities lose out on funds that could be used both for crime prevention and prisoner rehabilitation; rural areas do their best to thwart reform because they don't want to lose the benefits that prisons confer on them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

" Not only did the guys express appreciation at the chance to document their lives and discuss the needless stereotypes that get conferred on them because they are homeless," said one of the local organizers.

Duke University

While invertebrates have one member from each class, the increased genomic complexity of vertebrates has conferred on them three paralogous members, namely dystrophin [ 2], utrophin [ 3] and dystrophin-related protein 2 (DRP2) [ 4] in the dystrophin branch and α-, β- and γ-dystrobrevin [ 1, 5- 9] in the dystrobrevin branch (γ-dystrobrevin has been lost in tetrapods).

BMC Biology

This variability confers on them the ability to regulate genes, confounding previous ideas, Stanford researchers say.

Stanford University

At their best, national laws enjoy the legitimacy conferred on them by accountable legislatures.

The Economist

Without the legitimacy conferred on them by an investment bank, they worry that big investors will ignore them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confer on them", ensure the subject performing the action has the authority or right to grant the specified honor, right, or quality.

Common error

Avoid using "confer on them" in very informal or casual contexts; opt for simpler alternatives like "give them" or "grant them" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confer on them" functions as a verb phrase that typically indicates the act of bestowing or granting something (such as a title, right, or quality) to a group. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confer on them" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to describe the act of bestowing or granting something to a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is generally used in formal contexts, as demonstrated by its presence in news articles, scientific publications, and academic texts. While "confer on them" is appropriate for formal settings, simpler alternatives like "give them" or "grant them" may be more suitable for informal conversations. When using "confer on them", ensure that the subject performing the action has the appropriate authority to grant what is being conferred. To enhance clarity and impact, use "confer on them" to formally announce or acknowledge the act of bestowing something onto a group of individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bestow upon them

Emphasizes a formal or ceremonial act of giving.

grant them

A more straightforward and common way of saying "give".

award them

Specifically refers to giving something as a reward or recognition.

give them

A simple and direct synonym for "confer".

accord them

Implies giving something due or appropriate.

vest in them

Focuses on granting legal or official authority or rights.

impart to them

Suggests conveying knowledge, wisdom, or a quality.

present them with

Emphasizes the act of formally handing something over.

bequeath to them

Refers to passing something on as an inheritance or legacy.

entitle them to

Indicates giving a right or qualification.

FAQs

What does "confer on them" mean?

The phrase "confer on them" means to grant or bestow something, such as a title, right, or quality, upon a group of people.

How can I use "confer on them" in a sentence?

You can use "confer on them" in a sentence like this: "The university decided to confer honorary degrees on the distinguished alumni."

What are some alternatives to "confer on them"?

Alternatives to "confer on them" include "bestow upon them", "grant them", or "give them", depending on the context.

Is "confer on them" formal or informal?

"Confer on them" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal situations, simpler alternatives like "give to them" may be more appropriate.