confer rights

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confer rights" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to grant or bestow rights or privileges upon someone or something. This phrase is commonly used in legal contexts when discussing the granting of rights or in political contexts when discussing the delegation of authority. Example: The new constitution will confer rights upon all citizens, guaranteeing them equal protection under the law.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

However, bigness confers power but it does not confer rights.

The Economist

These confer rights to state benefits, such as pensions.

The Economist

It cannot without the intervention of parliament confer rights on individuals or deprive individuals of rights".

The Guardian

The company won't talk about the details, but these shares confer rights and privileges not attached to common stock.

The New York Times

These confer rights to compounds, products, delivery technologies and devices, development and production processes, software, and geographic markets.

Harvard Business Review

In this and other respects, the MCA purports to confer rights that, upon close inspection, prove illusory.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

However, there are a number of benefits that the Secretary of Defense has the authority to confer right now, even as DOMA and these other laws remain on the books.

Huffington Post

One such aspect has been the extent to which it confers rights on individuals.

The Guardian

In 1999, scientists and lawyers petitioned New Zealand's parliament to pass a bill conferring "rights" on chimpanzees and other primates.

The Guardian

True, the statute expressly confers rights to follow through the various stages of the procedure to the end of the Tax Court phase.

Cornell University

Voters also rejected an antiabortion amendment to the Colorado Constitution that would have conferred rights "to every human being from the beginning of the biological development".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confer rights", ensure the subject clearly identifies the entity granting the rights and the object specifies who or what is receiving them. This makes the sentence more precise and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "confer rights" when merely acknowledging existing rights. This phrase is appropriate only when new rights are being granted, not when pre-existing rights are being recognized or reaffirmed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confer rights" functions as a verb phrase where 'confer' is the verb indicating the action of granting, and 'rights' is the direct object specifying what is being granted. According to Ludwig, it means to grant or bestow rights or privileges upon someone or something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confer rights" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that means to grant or bestow rights or privileges. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is frequently used in legal and political contexts. Usage analysis reveals the phrase is most common in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives like "grant rights" and "bestow rights" exist, "confer rights" carries a specific connotation of formal or official empowerment. When using this phrase, clarity in identifying who is granting the rights and who is receiving them is crucial. A common error is using it when acknowledging existing rights rather than creating new ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant rights

Emphasizes the act of formally bestowing rights.

bestow rights

Highlights the act of presenting rights as a gift or honor.

accord rights

Focuses on giving rights in accordance with a specific standard or agreement.

give rights

A more direct and simple way of expressing the act of granting rights.

endow with rights

Suggests a natural or inherent granting of rights.

vest rights in

Implies the secure and legal establishment of rights within a person or entity.

legally empower

Stresses the legal aspect of enabling someone through rights.

authorize rights

Emphasizes the official permission or approval aspect of granting rights.

privilege rights

Highlights that rights are being treated as a special advantage.

invest with rights

Focuses on formally giving someone control or authority through rights.

FAQs

What does "confer rights" mean?

The phrase "confer rights" means to grant or bestow rights or privileges upon someone or something. It is often used in legal or political contexts to describe the act of formally giving rights.

What are some alternatives to "confer rights"?

Alternatives to "confer rights" include "grant rights", "bestow rights", or "accord rights", each with slightly different nuances in meaning.

How is "confer rights" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "confer rights" is used to describe the action of granting rights. For example, "The new law will confer rights upon all citizens."

Is it correct to say "confer rights to" instead of "confer rights on"?

While both prepositions could be technically correct, "confer rights on" is generally preferred when referring to people or entities. "Confer rights to" might be used when the object is an abstract concept.